NC State set to hire Tennessee assistant, former Wolfpack player, per report
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Justin Gainey is reportedly going home to Raleigh.
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein reports that NC State is finalizing a deal to make Gainey the next head coach of the Wolfpack. Gainey, a current Tennessee assistant, is a former NC State player.
Sources: NC State is finalizing a deal to hire Tennessee's Justin Gainey as its next head coach.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 30, 2026
Gainey, who recently turned 49, played at NC State from 1996-2000. The former point guard also played professionally from 2000-03.
In 2006, Gainey took his first administrative position at his alma mater. He would become NC State’s director of operations in 2008. Since the 2009-10 season, Gainey has held coaching and administrative positions elsewhere.
Rick Barnes hired Gainey to his staff as an assistant coach ahead of the 2021-22 season. Ahead of his second season with the Vols, Gainey was promoted to associate head coach, a position he has held for the past 4 seasons.
During Gainey’s time with the program, Tennessee basketball has enjoyed unprecedented success. In the 5 seasons with Gainey on staff, Tennessee has extended its Sweet 16 streak to 8 consecutive NCAA Tournaments. The Volunteers have made the Elite Eight three seasons in a row. UT won an SEC Tournament championship in 2022 and a regular-season conference title in 2024.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
