from WRAL News 5 in Raleigh…..CLICK HERE to read all….
N.C. State school officials met with Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey(former high school player for Freddy Johnson at the Greensboro Day School), a former NC State player, and Furman’s Bob Richey on Saturday. Tennessee played in the Elite Eight on Sunday against Michigan in Chicago. Furman lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Gainey has the support of several former NC State greats, as well as Tennessee coach Rick Barnes.
NC State officials went to Chicago to meet with Tennessee assistant Justin Gainey, a former Wolfpack player. The plane was in Chicago for about three hours.
“If NC State knew what I knew, they would be begging him to be their next head coach,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said, “Because he’s ready not just for NC State, he’s ready to be the head coach of the University of Tennessee or any school in the country. He’s that good.”
Gainey, from North Carolina, played for the Wolfpack from 1996 through 2000, ranking second in school history in starts when his career was over. He has coached at various schools since 2009 and has been at Tennessee since 2021. The last three seasons he’s been the Volunteers associate head coach.
“I hope he gets the job,” Barnes said. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the country that loves NC State more than Justin Gainey. …. He has just incredible pride in his university.”
Barnes called him a terrific basketball coach and was the lead recruiter on 5-star freshman Nate Ament.
“Justin has an incredible feel for the game, really understands players,” Barnes said. “He works at it. Terrific recruiter. Understands the NIL era today.”
Former NC State football great Torry Holt and former basketball star Chris Corchiani have stumped for Gainey on social media.
Gainey was on NC State’s short list last year and was believed to be one of the final candidates before the Wolfpack hired Will Wade.
Gainey has spent the past five seasons on Rick Barnes’ staff at Tennessee, including the last four as associate head coach. Gainey also has served as an assistant at Elon, Appalachian State, Santa Clara, Arizona and Marquette.
Triangle markets say Gainey looking to be the next coach at N.C. State, and Triad markets are saying it is a DONE Deal…No official word yet, at N.C. State website…
Finding more info that fits with the upcoming announcement of the new N.C. State men’s basketball coach….
An emergency meeting of the N.C. State Board of Trustees has been called for Tuesday at 3 p.m. to “consider a personnel matter.” While the specifics of the matter are not publicly announced, it is typical for the Board to discuss a contract of this nature.
N.C. State announced that it will hold an event at the Lenovo Center at 2 p.m. on Wednesday for “Men’s Basketball Head Coach Introduction.” N.C State athletics director Boo Corrigan, Chancellor Kevin Howell, and the new men’s basketball head coach are on tap to speak.