Kirby No Longer on Hilltop

After going 6-24, an even more lamentable 0-19 in BIG EAST Conference play during 2021-22, changes were certainly going to be made at Georgetown. As related on our Premium Court message board weeks ago, it was widely believed next season a different group of assistant coaches would be present.

And that process has begun, as Robert Kirby is no longer coaching the Blue and Gray.

A well known and respected recruiter nationally, one with a 37 year coaching history including X's and O's mastery, Kirby just finished his second stint at Georgetown - the first occurred 2010-12 under then head coach John Thompson III. Kirby joined present program leader Pat Ewing at the start of his tenure in 2017.

For the Blue and Grey, Kirby is directly responsible for a quartet of eventual BIG EAST All-Rookie performers; Otto Porter (2013, #3 in NBA draft), Jamorko Pickett (NBA FA), Josh LeBlanc and James Akinjo. Additionally he reeled in or helped do so with many others, such as Mac McClung and Dante Harris, using his well respected people skills and diligence to snare them.

Kirby's coaching career began in 1982 at his alma mater Texas American/Texas Rio-Grande Valley as a student assistant - previously was a two year letter winner there - and proceeded to Arkansas College/Lyon, UALR, Southeastern LA, Houston, Mississippi State Georgetown (twice), Memphis and LSU.

While in Baton Rouge with the Tigers, Kirby's recruitment acumen was again illustrated, being used to nab Jerrell Martin and Jordan Mickey, both selected by NBA teams in 2015. Other talented performers he's lured elsewhere include:

Eric Dampier, Jonathan Outlaw, Travis Outlaw, Monta Ellis of Mississippi the last three being signed but forgoing college ball for the NBA. Add Tang Hamilton, Lawrence Roberts, Derrick Zimmerman and Jarvis Varnardo, all spending time in the NBA as standout players Kirby recruited to MSU, in addition to future international pros Tim Bowers and Winsome Frazier.

Damon Jones, formerly of Houston was also recruited by Kirby, as were Memphis' Jeramiah Martin and Dedric Lawson, a trio that saw NBA action.

At this point Kirby has not signed on with another team, but is wholeheartedly expected to do so.

Good luck goes out to Kirby and his family. And thank you.

Discuss it on Premium Court.