NC State has entered the coaching carousel by firing Kevin Keatts, just one year after he led the Wolfpack to an ACC Tournament title and a surprising Final Four run. The decision comes despite Keatts receiving a two-year contract extension after last season’s success.
The Wolfpack had a disappointing 2024-25 season, finishing with only 12 wins and failing to qualify for the ACC Tournament. NC State’s struggles followed their Cinderella run in the previous NCAA Tournament, where they won five straight games to claim the ACC title before defeating Texas Tech, Oakland, Marquette, and Duke en route to the Final Four. Despite that success, Keatts’ tenure in Raleigh lacked consistency. Over eight seasons, his teams never finished in the top 40 of KenPom rankings and made just three NCAA Tournament appearances.
The coaching change comes as the college basketball coaching carousel picks up speed. Indiana is currently considered the top job on the market, but NC State’s opening is now one of the most attractive positions available. Potential candidates for the role include former LSU head coach Will Wade. The ACC landscape is also shifting, with Miami, Florida State, Virginia, and NC State all seeking new head coaches.
Keatts, a former Louisville assistant, had success at UNC Wilmington before taking over at NC State. Under his leadership, the Wolfpack had just one 25-win season—their Final Four year—but often struggled to compete at the highest level. His departure signals a fresh start for NC State, as they look for a coach who can bring sustained success to the program.
The timing of Keatts’ firing is noteworthy, as the ACC Network is set to release a documentary about NC State’s legendary 2024 tournament run. Just a day before its premiere, the coach who orchestrated it is out of a job.
With the coaching carousel in full swing, NC State now turns its attention to finding a new leader who can build on last year’s tournament magic while ensuring more consistent success moving forward.
