Tennessee's Rick Barnes Endorses Justin Gainey for NC State Head Coach

Barnes believes his associate head coach is ready to lead the Wolfpack program.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

As Tennessee prepares for the Elite Eight, head coach Rick Barnes took time to strongly endorse his associate head coach, Justin Gainey, for the open head coaching position at NC State. Barnes praised Gainey's deep ties to the Wolfpack program as a former player, his coaching acumen, and his recruiting prowess, saying that if NC State knew what he knows, "they would be begging him to be their next head coach."

Why it matters

The NC State head coaching job has become a high-profile opening in college basketball, and Gainey's candidacy is being closely watched. Barnes' glowing endorsement of his assistant could give Gainey a significant boost in the interview process as he looks to become a head coach at the Power Five level.

The details

Gainey, a North Carolina native, played for NC State from 1996 to 2000 and helped the Wolfpack win an ACC tournament championship. He has served as an assistant coach under Barnes at Tennessee, where he has been praised for his scouting, player development, and recruiting abilities. Barnes highlighted Gainey's role in landing one of the Volunteers' top freshmen this season and said he has an "incredible feel for the game" and is "terrific recruiter" who "understands the NIL era today."

  • On March 26, 2026, Barnes discussed Gainey's candidacy for the NC State job during a press conference ahead of Tennessee's Elite Eight matchup.

The players

Rick Barnes

The 71-year-old head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, who has mentored Gainey and believes he is ready to be a head coach at the Power Conference level.

Justin Gainey

The associate head coach at Tennessee, a former NC State player, and a top candidate for the Wolfpack's head coaching vacancy.

Boo Corrigan

The athletic director at NC State, who interviewed Gainey for the head coaching job.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I hope he gets the job. 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.”

— Rick Barnes, Head Coach, Tennessee Volunteers

“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.”

— Rick Barnes, Head Coach, Tennessee Volunteers

What’s next

NC State is expected to make a decision on its next head coach in the coming days, with Gainey emerging as a top candidate after interviewing with the school's athletic director.

The takeaway

Rick Barnes' strong endorsement of his associate head coach Justin Gainey could give the former NC State player a significant boost in his pursuit of the Wolfpack's head coaching job, as Barnes believes Gainey is ready to lead a major college basketball program.