Paul Hewitt has reached an agreement in principle to become George Mason’s next head coach, multiple sources told CBSSports.com on Saturday.

From GoMason.com:
George Mason assistant vice president/director of athletics Tom O’Connor announced Saturday that veteran head coach Paul Hewitt will be introduced as the ninth men’s basketball head coach in program history on Monday at 2 p.m.

A free live video stream of the press conference will be available on GoMason.com, and Coach Hewitt will be online at 4 p.m. for a live chat with Mason fans.

Georgia Tech fired Hewitt in March after 11 seasons featuring five NCAA tournament appearances — including a trip to the 2004 national championship game. At George Mason, he’ll inherit a roster built to succeed next season considering the Patriots return the bulk of a 27-win team that advanced to the Round of 32 of the 2011 NCAA tournament.

Hewitt replaces Jim Larranaga, who left earlier this month for Miami.

From the WashingtonPost.com:
O’Connor said he contacted Hewitt on Tuesday and brought him to Fairfax on Thursday for interviews with athletic department and university officials. After meeting with George Mason President Alan Merten on Friday, a deal was struck. Terms were not disclosed.

Following Larranaga’s resignation, six serious candidates emerged, O’Connor said. He wouldn’t identify the others.

Links:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/george-mason-hires-paul-hewitt-as-mens-basketball-coach/2011/04/30/AFkwUrMF_story.html

http://www.gomason.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=25200&ATCLID=205145061

Hewitt discussion on CAAZone.com:

Mason board:
http://boards.caazone.com/showthread.php?t=106897

General:
http://boards.caazone.com/showthread.php?t=106898