Former NBA player Damon Stoudamire has been dismissed as the head coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets following a challenging third season. The decision, announced on March 8, 2026, comes after Georgia Tech finished the season with an overall record of 11-20, including a disheartening twelve-game losing streak.
Stoudamire’s tenure at Georgia Tech, which began three seasons ago, resulted in a total record of 42-55. The team struggled to regain its prominence in college basketball, failing to achieve significant success despite expectations for improvement. Under Stoudamire’s leadership, the Yellow Jackets only made it to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) once, where they were eliminated in the first round.
Coaching Career Highlights and Challenges
Before joining Georgia Tech, Stoudamire served as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics under head coach Joe Mazzulla. His coaching career has been marked by difficulties, including a prior head coaching position at the University of the Pacific, where he recorded a 71-77 overall record from 2016 to 2021.
Stoudamire is best known for his playing days in the NBA, where he had a successful career spanning 13 years, primarily with the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite his impressive playing background, his transition to coaching has not yielded the same results.
Georgia Tech officials have expressed their commitment to enhancing the basketball program’s resources to ensure competitive performance in the future. The search for a new head coach will now take center stage as the university looks to rebuild and strengthen its basketball program.
The dismissal of Stoudamire highlights the challenges faced by former players transitioning into coaching roles, illustrating that success on the court does not always translate to success on the sidelines. As he moves on from this role, the prospect of returning to the NBA bench remains a possibility for Stoudamire, who will look to leverage his extensive basketball experience in future coaching opportunities.