North Carolina State University is reportedly finalizing a contract to hire Tennessee assistant Justin Gainey as its new men's basketball head coach, according to multiple reports. He will replace Will Wade, who departed after one season to return to LSU.
Gainey, 49, spent five seasons on Rick Barnes' staff at Tennessee, most recently as associate head coach for the past three years. He was primarily responsible for the team's defense, which ranked third nationally in points allowed per game during the 2022-23 season.
A former NC State point guard and team captain from 1996 to 2000, Gainey later returned to the program in administrative roles before beginning his coaching career. He takes over a Wolfpack team that finished 20-12 this season, earned a First Four NCAA tournament berth, but lost six of its final seven games.
The program is three seasons removed from a surprising Final Four run under previous coach Kevin Keatts but has since struggled, leading to this coaching change.