Why this player stayed at NC State, even after his dad lost assistant coaching job
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jordan Snell chose to remain at N.C. State despite his father’s staff exit.
- Coach Will Wade emphasized Snell’s leadership and off-court contributions.
- Snell's role supports team culture, morale and transitioning new players.
Shortly after newly-hired N.C. State men’s basketball coach Will Wade arrived on campus, he and his assistant, Reed Viall, stood outside the film room at Dail Basketball Center. Senior guard Jordan Snell came up, shook their hands and, based on the brief interaction, realized he needed to stay in Raleigh.
Snell, a walk-on from Cary, was in a difficult spot. N.C. State was all he’d ever known — joining the program as a freshman in 2022 — but his father, Steve, was one of the assistants forced out of a job after the program fired Kevin Keatts in March. And guard KJ Keatts, his close friend, opted to leave the program.
“It was such an emotional swing over two months,” Snell said.
Like several of his teammates, Snell could’ve transferred and started over, too. No one would’ve blamed him, considering the circumstances, and it’s not like he had a scholarship obligation.
Snell was excited to meet Wade but didn’t know what his next move should be. Should he stay, or go? The two connected over the experience of being at a low point and wanting to rebuild, and it was clear N.C. State remained the right place.
“He made it very evident that he wanted me to stay. It wasn’t like, ‘You can just stay if you want,’” Snell said. “That just made me want to stay even more.”
It could’ve been awkward with Snell’s family, staying at the school where his dad used to work.
Steve Snell joined the Wolfpack in 2020 as the Director of Operations before being promoted to an assistant. He came to Raleigh with more than 30 years of experience.
Following the emotional ending, Steve Snell took a job at Marshall but supported his son in the decision to stay. He knows how to separate being a coach and father.
Jordan Snell said it’s different not having his dad around all the time but they stay in contact and the Wolfpack coaching staff connected with him when they were all on the recruiting trail.
“It was a tough transition, but he wanted me to be happy,” Snell said. “He wanted me to finish this out the right way. I don’t think there’s any other coach he’d want me to play for than Coach Wade.”
An important piece of the puzzle
Wade emphasized the senior’s importance on the team, comparing the program to a puzzle. Every person — player, coach, support staff member — is necessary, including Snell, otherwise the picture isn’t complete.
“Without his piece, our puzzle is not whole, and his piece is just as important as Darrion Williams’ piece,” Wade said. “That’s the way our program’s run, and he’s somebody that’s going to make a major impact on us winning, just the juice he brings on the bench, the juice he brings every day to practice. There’s incredible, incredible value in that.”
Wade complimented Snell’s leadership, passion and positive attitude. The senior works hard and represents the team on “every board known to man,” including the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee alongside Ven-Allen Lubin.
Snell also took care of a sick teammate, he opted not to share which one, and is willing to let anyone stay at his apartment for as long as they need. If they need a chauffeur, that option is also available. There’s a big brother vibe to it all.
“They’re putting the ball in the basket, they’re putting butts in seats. They’re doing all that,” Snell said of his teammates. “When it makes me feel like I have an impact on the team, it just makes me want to go even harder.”
Williams, originally from Sacramento, California, transferred from Texas Tech and said Snell was the player who helped ease his transition the most. From providing recommendations about Raleigh and telling Williams who he needed to visit for various on-campus needs, Snell had the answers.
During N.C. State’s ACC Championship and Final Four run, Snell interacted with Williams and then-Syracuse guard Quadir Copeland.
Williams finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Texas Tech’s loss to N.C. State in the NCAA Tournament. He remembers the two talking “a little mess.” Copeland, meanwhile, described him as “the little kid with the ‘fro at the end of the bench.”
Realistically, Snell will still be at the end of the bench, albeit more grown up. The senior has no illusions about being a starter, and that’s OK.
He’s proud to be the guy showing his teammates the Raleigh culture and what it means to play basketball in the Triangle. He finds meaning in working without the spotlight, providing encouragement and fostering community; intangibles that the team hopes will translate into wins.
And maybe the Pack will build some big enough leads that he can get playing time.
“He’s as vital a part of our team as anybody,” Wade said. “In fact, today, if we had to send a team captain out there, it’d be Jordan Snell. He’s held this thing together, and he loves this place.”
