NC State to hire Justin Gainey from Tennessee as next men's basketball coach

Jadyn Watson-Fisher, The News & Observer on Mar 30, 2026

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RALEIGH, N.C. — It appears Justin Gainey is coming home for a second time.

N.C. State is closing in on hiring Gainey, a program alumnus and former Tennessee associate head coach, to become its next men’s basketball coach, with an official announcement expected this week, sources told the News & Observer. Gainey would replace Will Wade after his lone season in Raleigh.

The decision comes after Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz and Furman coach Bob Richey withdrew themselves from consideration for the job.

Gainey interviewed for the job last season, prior to Wade’s selection. He met with N.C. State officials for about three hours Saturday in Chicago, ahead of Tennessee’s Elite Eight matchup against Michigan.

“I hope he gets the job,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes told reporters Saturday, endorsing his lead assistant. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the country that loves N.C. State more than Justin Gainey. He’s a North Carolina native. He went to N.C. State, played four years there, started four years.”

Barnes said Gainey’s “feel” for the game, recruiting ability, NIL knowledge and pride in his university made him an elite candidate for the job. The veteran coach also spoke highly of Gainey’s character, all things N.C. State wanted in its next head coach.

“If N.C. State knew what I knew, they would be begging him to be their next head coach,” Barnes said Saturday. “Because he’s ready, not just for N.C. State. He’s ready to be the head coach of the University of Tennessee or any school in the country. He’s that good. … And, one of the finest people I’ve ever been around and a beautiful family.”

The 49-year-old Gainey played at N.C. State from 1996 to 2000, helping the Wolfpack to four straight postseason tournaments. He left the program ranked second all-time in starts (103), No. 4 in steals (190) and No. 9 in assists (344). He worked at N.C. State from 2006-09, first as an administrative coordinator and then as director of operations under former head coach Sidney Lowe. His resume also includes stops at Marquette, Elon, Appalachian State and Arizona.

With his name among potential hires, several former N.C. State players voiced their approval of Gainey, citing his love for the Wolfpack and success at Tennessee. Barnes hired Gainey as an assistant in 2021, and promoted him to second-in-command prior to the 2022-23 season.

With Gainey on staff, the Tennessee defense has consistently been in the top 15 nationally in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. This season, the Volunteers have a 94 defensive rating, its worst since Gainey joined the staff, but still No. 12 in the country. The Vols held the No. 1 rating during the 2022-23 season, when the team finished with an 87.5, the best defense since KenPom was established in 1999.

Tennessee has been one of the nation’s best programs in 3-point defense and effective field goal percentage defense during that stretch.

The Vols have never finished with fewer than 25 wins with Gainey on staff, except for the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season.

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