NC State hires Justin Gainey as men's basketball coach

Former player Justin Gainey, who spent five seasons as an assistant with Tennessee, is returning to NC State as the Wolfpack's next men's basketball coach, the school announced Tuesday.

Gainey, 49, played for NC State from 1996 to 2000 and later began his foray into coaching as an administrative coordinator at the school from 2006 to 2008. He will replace Will Wade, who left the Wolfpack last weekafter one season to return to LSU.

NC State said Gainey had signed a five-year contract.

"I'm humbled and honored to be the head coach of the NC State men's basketball program," Gainey said in a statement. "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. We're going to honor our tradition, represent this university the right way, and build a program our Wolfpack family can be proud of. This place means everything to me. I wore the jersey with pride, and now I'll lead this program with that same passion, toughness and commitment to winning that defines the Wolfpack."

Gainey was on NC State's short list last year and was believed to be one of the final candidates before the Wolfpack hired Wade.

He has spent the past five seasons on Rick Barnes' staff at Tennessee, including the past four as associate head coach. Gainey also has served as an assistant at Elon, Appalachian State, Santa Clara, Arizona and Marquette.

NC State got off to an 18-6 start, 9-2 in the ACC, before losing six of its final seven games to end the regular season. The Wolfpack were placed in the First Four on Selection Sunday and lost to Texas, finishing the season with a 20-14 mark.br/]