# Patrick Ewing returns to Georgetown
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706
**Category:** The Game Room
**Created:** [April 4, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706 "2017-04-04T01:15:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [April 4, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706/1 "2017-04-04T01:15:48Z")
Patrick is returning home. 🙂
His son, Patrick Ewing Jr. was an assistant at Georgetown last year. Jr. coached for John Thompson III. It’ll be interesting to see if Dad keeps him employed.
The Big East has several ex players coaching their alma mater’s. Chris Mullin at St John’s, Ewing at Georgetown and Shaheen Holloway at Seton Hall (asst coach).
Ewing has solid assistant coaching experience in the NBA. I’m looking forward to seeing what he accomplishes at Georgetown.
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### Author:  [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)
#### Post date: [April 4, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706/2 "2017-04-04T01:36:54Z")
That is cool. He wouldn’t want to see Ed Pinckney around Villanova, though.
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### Author:  [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)
#### Post date: [April 4, 2017, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706/3 "2017-04-04T04:15:28Z")
I was shocked at what Ewing looks like now.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [April 4, 2017, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706/4 "2017-04-04T05:35:55Z")
Forgot a link to the story.
> **[Patrick Ewing is Georgetown's biggest name, but it'll take more than that to win](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/patrick-ewing-is-georgetowns-biggest-name-but-itll-take-more-than-that-to-win-there/amp/)**
>
> After years as an NBA assistant, Ewing faces the tough task of making his alma mater relevant again
Georgetown faces a long rebuilding process. I think Patrick has the work ethic to turn things around. It’ll take at least three or four seasons. Imho
> [@](#):
>
> The school has dipped significantly. And for almost two decades, Georgetown hasn’t been a top-30 program. It’s made the Sweet 16 just three times and moved beyond that only once since 1997.
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### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [April 4, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706/5 "2017-04-04T22:57:24Z")
Very happy to hear that Patrick is going to try and rebuild the program. I knew very little about his assistant coach work, but everyone seems to think he’s a diligent and thoughtful guy, not someone who is coasting on his fame, so I’m expecting him to do a good job. The x’s and o’s shouldn’t be a problem at all for him.
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### Author:  [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706/6 "2017-04-05T01:40:54Z")
I’m superstitiously concerned. This reminds me of Wes Unseld being chosen as coach of the Wizards as a sentimental loyalty pick. It worked out badly, but letting him go was painful and extra difficult because of his great history.
Hopefully Ewing does a solid job.
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### Author:  [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2017, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706/7 "2017-04-05T12:47:59Z")
The difference between Ewing and most honorary alumni coaching appointments is that Ewing has been as assistant coach for 15 years. He hasn’t been an analyst or front office guy. He’s been on the sideline. Granted, that 15 years of coaching experience is in the NBA, so there will be some adjustment. But you’d hope Patrick Ewing would be able to recruit.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2017, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-ewing-returns-to-georgetown/783706/8 "2017-04-06T12:36:54Z")
I’ve wondered why Ewing didn’t get a head coaching job before. NBA or College.
He’s certainly worked under some big names and is qualified to head a basketball program. He will have to make a transition to the college game.
[https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/sports/colleges/patrick-ewing-who-worked-and-waited-finally-gets-his-chance-by-coming-home/2017/04/05/0274fd52-1a36-11e7-bcc2-7d1a0973e7b2\_story.html](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/sports/colleges/patrick-ewing-who-worked-and-waited-finally-gets-his-chance-by-coming-home/2017/04/05/0274fd52-1a36-11e7-bcc2-7d1a0973e7b2_story.html)
> [@](#):
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> As others pondered why, Ewing kept growing as a coach, working under some of the best minds in basketball. He started with Doug Collins in Washington, then joined Jeff Van Gundy in Houston, then Stan Van Gundy in Orlando, then Steve Clifford in Charlotte. He mentored two of the best centers of the past 15 years, Yao Ming and Dwight Howard. But he also challenged himself to be more than a big man’s coach and requested to assist in other ways.
>
> He can break down film and put together winning game plans. He can talk with point guards about the nuances of an offensive system. As Charlotte’s associate head coach, he was the most trusted assistant of Clifford, one of the brightest minds in the NBA and a true coach’s coach who has worked at every level of basketball. In addition, Ewing has developed an appreciation for analytics.