Whack Hyder
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)
