John “Whack” Hyder (1912-2003)

Teams coached: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech record: 292-271 (.519)
Overall record: 292-271 (.519)

Career Accomplishments:

• NCAA National Championships:  0
• NCAA Tournament Appearances:  1  (1960)
• NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen:  1  (1960)
• NCAA Tournament Final Four:  0
• NIT Championships:  0  (Runner-up in 1971)
• NIT Appearances:  2  (1970, 1971)

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1951-1973	Georgia Tech
1946-1951	Georgia Tech (asst)

Whack Hyder Facts

• John T. Hyder
• Born July 10, 1912
• Died February 9, 2003
• Hometown: Lula, Georgia
• Alma Mater: Georgia Institute of Technology (BA, 1937)
• Was a multi-sport star at Georgia Tech, lettering in basketball, baseball, track and cross country
  • On the hardwood, Hyder played for Tech head coach Roy Mundorff
  • After graduation, he spent three years in the New York Yankees farm system
  • Joined the US Navy and served for several years during World War II
• Returned to GT in 1946, spending the next five seasons assisting head basketball coach Roy McArthur
• Elevated to head coach in 1951, leading the Yellow Jackets for the next 22 seasons
  • Compiled an overall record of 292-271 and had multiple teams ranked in the AP Top 10
  • During his tenure, GT went from being a member of the SEC to being Independent
  • Reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 1960 and finished as NIT Runner-up in 1971
  • Retired from coaching in 1973 as the winningest coach in program history (later passed by Bobby Cremins)
  • Enshrined in the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame (class of 1980)
• Passed away in 2003 at the age of 91; survived by two children and four grandchildren

Whack Hyder Coaching Tree

• Roger Kaiser (Life, West Georgia)
• Dwane Morrison (Georgia Tech, Mercer)