NC State expected to hire former player Justin Gainey as next men’s basketball coach :: WRAL.com

NC State is turning to one of its own to lead its men’s basketball program after being jilted by Will Wade after just one season.

Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey, who played four seasons for NC State, is expected to become the school’s next head coach, according to multiple reports and WRAL sources.

“I don’t think there’s anybody in the country that loves NC State more than Justin Gainey,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said as part of an endorsement of his assistant over the weekend.

He continued: “Justin has an incredible feel for the game, really understands players. He works at it. Terrific recruiter. Understands the NIL era today. If NC State knew what I knew, they would be begging him to be their next head coach 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.”

Athletics director Boo Corrigan and the NC State administration moved quickly to replace Wade, who signed a six-year contract with NC State last year and brought immediate fan enthusiasm, but bolted to LSU after the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament loss in the First Four. NC State lost eight of its last 10 games.

Corrigan met with at least three candidates in person on Saturday: Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz, Gainey and Furman head coach Bob Richey.

Schertz announced Sunday that he was staying at Saint Louis, and reports surfaced late Sunday that Richey was no longer a candidate.

Gainey declined comment Sunday after Tennessee’s loss in the Elite Eight to Michigan.

Gainey, who started 103 games for NC State between 1996 and 2000, was a candidate last year. He has been the Volunteers’ associate head coach for the last three seasons with a focus on defense. Tennessee ranked No. 15 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency in the regular season. Tennessee has been to the Elite Eight three consecutive years.

Gainey, 49, is a High Point native and played at Greensboro Day School, where his No. 12 jersey is retired. He was an assistant at several schools, including Elon, Appalachian State and Santa Clara, where he worked for former Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek. He also had stints at Arizona and Marquette before coming to Tennessee. Gainey had administrative roles for NC State’s program in the late 2000s under coach Sidney Lowe. 

Gainey was the lead recruiter for Tennessee star freshman Nate Ament.

“One of the finest people I’ve ever been around,” Barnes said of Gainey.

Wolfpack legends like football great Torry Holt and basketball stars Chris Corchiani and TJ Warren endorsed Gainey.

Bringing in one of their own could help erase some of the sting from losing Wade, who promised a “reckoning,” but left wreckage with his hasty exit, late-season swoon and near-constant public rebukes of his team as it stumbled down the stretch.

He seemed to dismiss rumors of a return to LSU at the ACC Tournament. After the season-ending loss to Texas, Wade said, “this will be the worst team we have at NC State right here.” Nine days later, he was on a plane headed to Baton Rouge.

The transfer portal opens on April 7.

Paul McNeil would be NC State’s leading returning scorer should he come back, but Gainey would be his third coach in three seasons in Raleigh. At the moment, Cole Cloer and Trevon Carter-Givens are committed to play for State as incoming freshmen.

Wade replaced Kevin Keatts, who led NC State on a miraculous run to the 2024 Final Four but missed the ACC Tournament in 2025.

I’ve been with him through a lot of these games, and he recruited Nate. He was the lead recruiter on him. And just phenomenal job.

With all that said, one of the finest people I’ve ever been around and beautiful family.