NC State Hires Alumnus Justin Gainey as New Men's Basketball Coach

The former Wolfpack player and assistant coach returns to lead his alma mater's program.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:49pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of red and white colors representing the NC State Wolfpack team.The hiring of alumnus Justin Gainey as NC State's new basketball coach represents a fresh start and a return to the program's roots.Today in Raleigh

The NC State University Board of Trustees has officially hired Justin Gainey as the 22nd head coach of the Wolfpack men's basketball program. Gainey, a former NC State player and assistant coach, returns to his alma mater after serving as an associate head coach at Tennessee under Rick Barnes.

Why it matters

Gainey's hiring represents a homecoming for the North Carolina native, who played for the Wolfpack in the late 1990s. The school is hoping Gainey's deep ties to the program and community will help stabilize the team after the abrupt departure of previous coach Will Wade.

The details

After the emergency meeting, NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan announced Gainey's hiring, noting that the new coach understands the values and tradition of the university. Gainey, who grew up in High Point, said he is "humbled and honored" to lead his alma mater and pledged to "honor our tradition, represent this university the right way, and build a program our Wolfpack family can be proud of."

  • On March 31, 2026, the NC State Board of Trustees approved Gainey's hiring as the new men's basketball coach.

The players

Justin Gainey

A former NC State player from 1996 to 2000 who is now the 22nd head coach of the Wolfpack men's basketball program, returning to his alma mater after serving as an associate head coach at Tennessee.

Boo Corrigan

The athletic director at NC State who led the search process and believes Gainey is the "right fit" to continue positioning the Wolfpack program for national success.

Herb Sendek

The former NC State men's basketball coach who coached Gainey during his playing days with the Wolfpack from 1996 to 2000.

Rick Barnes

The legendary head coach at Tennessee, where Gainey served as an associate head coach before returning to NC State.

Will Wade

The previous NC State men's basketball coach who abruptly left the program to return to LSU, prompting the school's search for a new leader.

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What they’re saying

“I'm humbled and honored to be the head coach of the NC State men's basketball program. This university helped build me as a player and as a person. To now lead it as head coach is truly a full-circle moment. There's a responsibility that comes with leading your alma mater, and I embrace it fully.”

— Justin Gainey, Head Coach, NC State Men's Basketball

“Not only are we welcoming back one of our own, but we are welcoming a tough, tenacious and experienced coach who I am confident is the right fit for our program and will continue to position the Pack for success on the national stage.”

— Boo Corrigan, Athletic Director, NC State

What’s next

Gainey will be formally introduced and take questions from the media on Wednesday at the Lenovo Center.

The takeaway

Gainey's hiring represents a return to NC State's roots, with the school bringing back an alumnus who understands the program's values and traditions. After the abrupt departure of the previous coach, the university is hoping Gainey's deep ties to the Wolfpack will help stabilize the team and position it for long-term success.