Georgia Tech has terminated head basketball coach Damon Stoudamire following three disappointing seasons, according to reports from On3.
The former NBA first-round draft pick's tenure with the Yellow Jackets never gained momentum, as he failed to guide the program to either an NCAA Tournament berth or a winning season during his time in Atlanta.
Stoudamire's final campaign proved particularly challenging, with Georgia Tech finishing 11-20 overall and managing just two victories in Atlantic Coast Conference play. This represented a significant step backward from the previous year, when the Yellow Jackets showed promise with a .500 record of 17-17 and 10 ACC wins.
The coaching change marks the first major decision for new athletic director Ryan Alpert, who inherited Stoudamire from his predecessor. Former athletic director J Batt, who hired Stoudamire, departed for Michigan State last June.
Stoudamire brought a unique background to the position, having transitioned from a successful NBA playing career to coaching. The Toronto native was selected seventh overall in the 1995 NBA Draft and earned Rookie of the Year honors. His 13-season professional career saw him average 13.4 points per game across stints with the Raptors, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, and Spurs.
Before arriving in Atlanta, Stoudamire spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, a role he took after leaving his head coaching position at Pacific in 2021. His collegiate head coaching experience included a successful run with the Tigers, where he compiled a 71-77 overall record.
Stoudamire's best season at Pacific came in 2019-20, when he led the Tigers to a 23-10 record and earned West Coast Conference Coach of the Year recognition. His final two seasons there produced a combined 32-19 record, demonstrating his ability to build competitive programs at the mid-major level.
The dismissal continues Georgia Tech's ongoing struggle to establish consistent basketball success. Stoudamire was brought in to replace Josh Pastner, who managed just one NCAA Tournament appearance during his seven-year tenure with the program.
The Yellow Jackets' basketball woes run deeper than recent coaching changes. The program hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons since 2004 and 2005, highlighting the institutional challenges facing whoever takes over the program next.
The search for Georgia Tech's next basketball coach will be closely watched as the program seeks to break its cycle of mediocrity and return to NCAA Tournament relevance in the competitive ACC landscape.