Damon Stoudamire Fired as Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball Coach
Damon Stoudamire has been fired as the head coach of the Georgia Tech men’s basketball team after three seasons, marking a significant change for the program. The decision comes following a disappointing season that saw the team finish with an overall record of 11-20 and a last-place mark of 2-16 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Stoudamire’s tenure at Georgia Tech concluded with a coaching record of 42-55. The team ended the season on a troubling 12-game losing streak, raising concerns about the direction of the program. Georgia Tech has not made the NCAA Tournament since the 2020-21 season, which has added pressure on the administration to seek a new path forward.
Georgia Tech’s struggles in recent years have been evident, as the program has only made four NCAA tournament appearances since finishing as the runner-up in 2004. The firing of Stoudamire highlights the ongoing challenges the team faces in regaining its competitive edge in college basketball.
Following Stoudamire’s dismissal, Greg Gary has been named the interim head coach. The transition comes at a critical time as the program seeks to rebuild and improve its standing in the ACC. Georgia Tech owes Stoudamire $2.6 million over the next two years unless he takes another coaching position, adding a financial consideration to the decision.
Stoudamire was hired in 2023 after a two-year stint as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, bringing a wealth of experience to the role. Prior to that, he coached at Pacific for five seasons from 2016 to 2021. His background as a player, including being the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1995 and a first-round pick in the NBA Draft, added to the expectations surrounding his coaching abilities.
Ryan Alpert, Georgia Tech’s athletic director, expressed gratitude towards Stoudamire, stating, “On behalf of Georgia Tech, I want to thank Damon for his commitment to the Institute, our men’s basketball program and, most importantly, our student-athletes.” Alpert emphasized the importance of the men’s basketball program within the athletics department and the community.
As Georgia Tech looks to the future, Alpert reassured fans of the university’s commitment to the basketball program, stating, “Georgia Tech’s commitment to men’s basketball is unwavering, and we will invest the resources necessary to compete for championships at the highest levels.” The search for a new head coach will be closely watched as the program aims to turn around its fortunes.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding potential candidates for the head coaching position, but the urgency for change is palpable as Georgia Tech seeks to restore its reputation in college basketball.
