Top Candidate Withdraws Name From NC State Coaching Search

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The NC State men's basketball coaching search took an unexpected turn as Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz withdrew his name from consideration for the Wolfpack job. Schertz had emerged as a top candidate after meeting with NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan, but ultimately decided to remain with the Billikens. This development likely elevates Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey, an NC State alumnus, as the frontrunner for the position.

Why it matters

The withdrawal of Schertz, a highly respected mid-major coach, is a setback for NC State as it looks to replace the departed Will Wade. However, the speed of Schertz's decision is seen as a positive, allowing the Wolfpack to shift its focus to other candidates like Gainey, who has strong ties to the program and could provide stability and recruiting prowess.

The details

After meeting with Corrigan and other key figures from NC State in St. Louis, Schertz decided to withdraw his name from consideration for the Wolfpack job just 24 hours later. While a disappointing outcome for NC State, the quick decision is viewed as a positive, as it allows the search team to pivot to other top candidates like Gainey, who is currently an associate head coach at Tennessee.

• On March 29, 2026, Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz withdrew his name from consideration for the NC State head coaching job.
• Schertz met with NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan and other key figures from the Wolfpack in St. Louis on March 28, 2026.

What’s next

NC State is likely to continue its due diligence in the coaching search, but the looming transfer portal opening means the Wolfpack will need to move quickly. With Schertz out of the running, Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey appears to be the frontrunner for the position.