Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes firmly believes that longtime assistant coach Justin Gainey is worthy and deserving of the vacant NC State head coaching position. Gainey has been on Barnes’ Tennessee staff since the 2021 season and was elevated to the associate head coach role before the 2022 season. Gainey was also on the staff for the two years that his son, former Tennessee guard Jordan Gainey, was on the roster.
With Will Wade leaving the Wolfpack for a reunion with LSU, NC State is left looking for a new leader for the program. Rumors and speculation have attached Tennessee’s Justin Gainey to that position. Gainey, a North Carolina native, played for NC State from 1996 to 2000.
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes addressed the rumors during an Elite Eight press conference on Saturday, petitioning for Gainey to get the job in Raleigh.
“I hope he gets the job,” Barnes said. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the country that loves NC State more than Justin Gainey. He’s a North Carolina native. He went to NC State, played four years there, started four years. Helped win an ACC tournament. He has just incredible pride in his university. A terrific basketball coach. I mean, if you come to our walk-throughs, like today or the other day, he scouted the last game. I don’t say a whole lot because those guys have it.”
Gainey has played an instrumental role in Tennessee’s success over the last handful of seasons, including the Vols’ run to the Sweet 16 in the last four years. Gainey has been an architect for the Vols’ aggressive and physical defensive style. Barnes believes those traits can carry over to his first career head coaching position.
“Justin has an incredible feel for the game, really understands players,” Barnes said. “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. I’ve been with him through a lot of these games, and he recruited Nate (Ament). 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.”
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According to a report from PackPower’s Cory Smith on Saturday, NC State brass is flying to Chicago to interview Gainey for the head coaching position. It’s the second interview that NC State will conduct on Saturday, with the first taking place with Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz earlier in the day.
This is the second straight season that the NC State job has been open. Just like now, Gainey was rumored to be a candidate for the opening before the program hired Will Wade. Gainey addressed those rumors a season ago.
“Being a graduate and former player there and somebody who worked there, I’ve always kind of kept my eyes on NC State just watching them play and everything. I love NC State. It’s a great place,” Gainey said last season when they job came open.
“As far as me and my involvement, I’m focused on what we’re doing here. … The fact that I’m even mentioned, I’m flattered, and that’s in large part to what we’ve done here. I credit the guys I’ve had the opportunity to coach here. I credit Coach Barnes for giving me this opportunity to be even mentioned in such a great situation like that.”
While Gainey contemplates his future, Tennessee is still gearing up for a primetime matchup in the Elite Eight on Sunday. The 6-seed Vols will take on the 1-seed Michigan Wolverines for a spot in the Final Four on Sunday afternoon at 2:15 p.m. ET.
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