Kevin Keatts fired: 5 NC State basketball head coach candidates
Justin Gainey
Gainey has some of the greatest connections to NC State among potential head-coaching candidates as he was a guard for the Wolfpack during the Herb Sendek era from 1996-2000. Gainey returned to his alma mater as an administrative coordinator and director of operations during the mid-to-late 2000s. He has gained some high-level experience as an assistant coach since at Arizona, Marquette, and most recently Tennessee, where he is an associate head coach on Rick Barnes鈥� staff. Gainey is a defensive-minded coach who has helped the Vols hold opponents to just under 62 points per game this season as one of the top teams in the country. While he lacks head-coaching experience, the 47-year-old has seen what it takes to win at the high-major level, and his familiarity with the program could make for a smooth transition.
