NC State seeks its next head coach. Tennessee’s Rick Barnes says choice is easy
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NC State interviews candidates, targeting a long‑term head coach by portal opening.
- Rick Barnes endorses Justin Gainey, citing recruiting, scouting and deep Wolfpack ties.
- NC State AD prioritizes basketball IQ, NIL knowledge, trust and program stability.
N.C. State officials were on the road — in the air, to be exact — on Saturday, interviewing candidates for the school’s head men’s basketball coaching job.
Wolfpack Athletic Director Boo Corrigan reportedly met with Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz for roughly three hours about the position. He then flew to Chicago to meet with N.C. State alumnus and Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey.
The Volunteers are in Chicago this weekend for the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional.
During an off-day media availability on Saturday, Vols head coach Rick Barnes spoke in favor of Gainey.
“I hope he gets the job,” Barnes told reporters. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the country that loves N.C. State more than Justin Gainey. He’s a North Carolina native. He went to N.C. State, played four years there, started four years.”
Barnes said Gainey possesses “incredible pride” in his university and complimented Gainey’s ability to scout opponents and prepare players for what to expect.
“I don’t say a whole lot because those guys have it,” Barnes said.
The veteran head coach also complimented Gainey’s “feel” for the game and players, calling his right-hand man a terrific recruiter and someone who fully understands the current landscape of college basketball.
This comes two days after Corrigan outlined the characteristics he wanted for the Wolfpack’s next leader: A strong basketball IQ, an understanding of NIL and the transfer portal, a love and commitment to the university. He also wants someone who understands the value of trust and accountability.
Corrigan and those who helped in the hiring process last year thought they had a person who fit that description. They’re set on getting it right this time.
“I believe we’re a school that someone can stay for 10 years and have an unbelievably great run here,” Corrigan said Thursday. “That’s 100% what we’re looking for. We don’t want to be a stepping stone on the way to another job.”
Gainey, 49, played at N.C. State from 1996 to 2000. He helped the Wolfpack make four straight postseason tournaments and left the program ranked No. 2 in starts (103), No. 4 in steals (190) and No. 9 in assists (344) at the conclusion of his career. He worked at N.C. State from 2006-09, first as an administrative coordinator and then as director of operations. His resume also includes stops at Marquette, Elon, Appalachian State and Arizona.
Corrigan told reporters this week that the program wanted to act with urgency, but he didn’t want to rush the process. Ideally, N.C. State will have its new coach in place by the time the transfer portal opens following the Final Four.
Barnes believes that even if it means losing his primary assistant, Gainey is the person N.C. State needs to home in on.
“If N.C. State knew what I knew, they would be begging him to be their next head coach,” Barnes said. “Because he’s ready, not just for N.C. State. He’s ready to be the head coach of the University of Tennessee or any school in the country. He’s that good. … And one of the finest people I’ve ever been around, and a beautiful family.”
This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 7:29 PM.
