RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Director of Athletics announced Sunday that Wolfpack men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.
Keatts has been with NC State for eight years.
“I want to thank Coach Keatts for his contributions to NC State and for always representing the university with class,” said NC State’s McMurray Family Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan. “He will always have a treasured place in Wolfpack history for the accomplishments of his 2023-24 squad, and I appreciate the passion he brought to this role. We wish him and his family the best in the future.”
Keatts had an overall record of 151-113 with NC State, and finished with a 69-84 record in the ACC.
This year, NC State ended their season with a 12-19 overall record, and went 5-14 in the conference. The Wolfpack did not qualify for the ACC Tournament this year.
Keatts took to social media and posted a statement on his departure, saying his time there was “like a dream come true.”
“I will always cherish my time being a part of the Raleigh community,” he said. “I want to thank Debbie Yow for giving me this tremendous opportunity to lead the Wolfpack back to the top of the ACC.”
Things looked drastically different last year, where the Wolfpack went on a magical Cinderella run to the Final Four of the NCAA National Tournament — losing to championship runner-up Purdue.
NC State’s athletic department said a national search for their next head coach will begin immediately.
The following are being considered as possible replacements for Keatts:
Will Wade, McNeese Head Coach
- McNeese head coach since 2023, leading McNeese to two first place finishes in the Southland conference, one Southland Tournament title and one NCAA Tournament appearance.
- Southland Coach of the Year for two times
- Wade previously worked at LSU from 2017-2022 and led the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament three of his five seasons in Baton Rouge
- LSU won SEC regular season (2019)
- Notably was fired from LSU for who was fired for cause in March 2022 due to multiple NCAA Level I violation allegations dating back to 2017, including failing to report potential NCAA violations, providing impermissible cash payments to impede disclosure of information of potential NCAA violations in contradiction to NCAA unethical conduct legislation, and failing to cooperate with the infractions investigation.
Justin Gainey, Tennessee Associate Head Coach and defensive coordinator
- Played at NC State from 1996-2000 – serving as team captain his senior season
- Has been at Tennessee since 2021, serving as the associate head coach since 2022
- In his first year leading the defense, the Volunteers posted the best defensive efficiency in the nation
- In four years at Tennessee, Gainey has helped the Volunteers to a 104-34 record, three NCAA Tournament berths, two Sweet 16 trips and one Elite Eight appearance, as well as two SEC titles.
- Worked on NC State Basketball staff from 2006-2009
2006–2008 at NC State (administrative coordinator)
2008–2009 at NC State (director of operations)
Ryan Odom, VCU Head Coach
- Durham native
- His father is legendary former Wake Forest coach and ECU coach Dave Odom
- Been with VCU since 2023 season
- VCU is co-Atlantic 10 conference champions this season, No. 1 seed in conference tournament, 25-6 this season (49-20 in two seasons)
- Famously served as the Head Coach of UMBC in 2018 who upset No. 1 Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. The first 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament.