I’ve connected with quite a few former NC State players to get their thoughts on the hiring of Justin Gainey as the new head coach for the Wolfpack Men’s Basketball team. First up is former NC State guard Jeremy Hyatt!
Hyatt played at NC State from 1993–1997, serving as a full-time starter in his final two seasons. Jeremy’s senior season was Gainey’s freshman season. Gainey may have only started 13 of the 32 games he played that season, but it was enough for Hyatt to get a good grasp of the type of player and man Gainey was, and the kind he would continue to grow into.
As a senior, when Hyatt was teammates with Gainey, he averaged 10 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 46.7% from the field and 37.7% from three-point range.
Here’s Hyatt’s take:
“It’s pretty simple for me. Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees. Justin has a wealth of knowledge that he’s accumulated over his coaching tenure under a number of acclaimed head coaches. I really was hoping he would’ve gotten the job before Will Wade. Justin understands that you have to have an identity as a team in order to be successful. His identity is tough-nosed, in-your-face guys that compete. I can live with a team that plays with effort and plays defense on every possession. Justin is obviously deeply rooted in North Carolina. He’s from High Point and played under Freddy Johnson at Greensboro Day School. He is one of the best recruiters in the country. I think it’s a home run.
I think people get fooled by the baby face, but Justin is hard-nosed but fair. I also truly believe the community will get behind him 1000% based on the fact that he is an alumnus and bleeds red and white. But at the end of the day, it all boils down to what type of identity your team has — or what type of identity your coach leads your team to have. Obviously, I know him personally. He’s one of the most even-keeled men that I’ve ever met. From the maturity that he showed as a true freshman back in ’96–’97 to where he is today, he’s always played his role, and played it well.”
