Reports: NC State hiring alum Justin Gainey as head coach

Field Level Media|published: Mon 30th March, 10:57 2026

Tennessee associate basketball coach Justin Gainey tells players to sub in during an NCAA college basketball game against Gardner-Webb on Dec. 21, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

NC State is finalizing a deal to hire former Wolfpack guard and current Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey as its new men's basketball coach, according to multiple reports on Monday.

Gainey, 49, replaces Will Wade, who left the position last week to return to LSU after guiding the Wolfpack to a 20-14 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in his lone season in Raleigh.

Gainey has spent the past five seasons on coach Rick Barnes' staff in Knoxville, helping the Volunteers reach the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight in each of the past three seasons.

It is the first head coaching gig for Gainey, who played at NC State from 1996-2000 and worked as an assistant at Elon, Appalachian State, Santa Clara, Arizona and Marquette before joining Tennessee in 2021.

"I hope he gets the job," Barnes said of Gainey on Saturday, per The Athletic. "I don't think there's anybody in the country that loves NC State more than Justin Gainey. ... 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.

"But Justin has an incredible feel for the game, really understands players. 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."

Gainey averaged 6.9 points, 2.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 128 games (103 starts) for the Wolfpack while playing for coach Herb Sendek.

--Field Level Media