With the news of former NC State men’s basketball head coach Will Wade departing for LSU after one season in Raleigh, the Wolfpack is searching for a new coach who can establish stability and raise the program to new heights. Here are five potential options for NC State to consider.
Josh Schertz, Saint Louis Head Coach
Schertz ought to be NC State’s very first call. He’s one of the best mid-major coaches in America, holding a 451-130 career record. This past season helped the Billikens to a 29-6 record and the program’s first Round of 32 appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2014.
Prior to his time at Saint Louis, Schertz led Indiana State for three seasons, ending with an impressive 32-7 campaign. Prior to that, Schertz coached for 13 years at Lincoln Memorial at the Division II level. While at Lincoln Memorial made three Division II Final Fours, posted an .830 winning percentage and won a combined 14 regular season and tournament conference titles.
Schertz is an Xs and Os wizard who would bring an innovative, modern approach to the scheme. Particularly skilled as an offensive mind, Schertz emphasizes quick decisions, ball movement and pace. Hiring Schertz would help NC State win and play analytically efficient basketball.
One small complication for NC State is that Schertz signed a six-year, $22 million contract extension this offseason. However, if NC State is ready to compete at the top of the ACC, then opening up the checkbook to buy out Schertz is simply the cost of doing business.
Bob Richey, Furman Head Coach
If NC State wants to go with a local option, Richey makes perfect sense. Richey has spent his entire coaching career in the state of South Carolina, so a move to Raleigh is one of the shortest if he makes the jump to the high major level. With nine full seasons of head coaching experience at Furman, where he’s won 20 or more games seven times and has two NCAA Tournament appearances, Richey’s resume speaks for itself.
Richey is best known for upsetting No. 4 seed Virginia in 2023 in the NCAA Tournament. Richey’s squad upset the Cavaliers with impressive in-game adjustments to complete a 12-point comeback by switching defenses mid-game to a 1-3-1 zone. If Richey is NC State’s next coach, he’ll give the Wolfpack a strong edge at in-game coaching.
The biggest question around Richey is how he’ll adjust to the ACC after spending his entire coaching career at the mid-major level. However, staying with the Paladins for nine years is also a major plus as it indicates loyalty — something NC State should value after Wade’s one-year tenure.
Justin Gainey, Tennessee Associate Head Coach
A former NC State point guard from 1996-2000, Gainey is the most unique candidate for the Wolfpack. Hiring a former player carries risk if things go south. Gainey’s resume is strong enough to stand without factoring in his Wolfpack ties.
Currently, Gainey is an assistant under Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes. Joining the Volunteers in 2021, Gainey is a key factor in Tennessee’s defensive success as the team’s defensive coordinator. Since the 2021-22 season, the Volunteers have ranked in the top three nationally in Ken Pom’s adjusted defensive efficiency four out of five times, including first in 2023.
If hired to be NC State’s next head coach, Gainey would be a major change to the identity of the program. After a season of high-flying offense and wildly inconsistent defense under Will Wade, NC State would evolve into Gainey’s disciplined man-to-man defense. The biggest questions for Gainey are how he would handle being a first-time head coach and what the offense would look like under him.
Phil Martelli Jr., VCU Head Coach
Martelli only has three years of head coaching experience, but has delivered during all three. During his two years at Bryant, the Bulldogs went 43-25 and won the 2025 American East title to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Now at VCU, Martelli turned in his best season yet by going 28-8, including a 19-point comeback victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against UNC.
Martelli’s lack of experience as a head coach is the top hurdle that could hold him back from landing the NC State job. Additionally, a two-year contract extension this offseason makes it more expensive to hire Martelli.
Chris Jans, Mississippi State Head Coach
While Jans’ stock isn’t hot after a 13-19 season, the record appears to be an anomaly. Before this season, Jans guided Mississippi State to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first three seasons in Starkville. A union between Jans and NC State would allow Jans to reset his clock and give the Wolfpack a coach who consistently wins.
It’s no secret that Mississippi State is one of the least desirable basketball jobs in the SEC. Departing from Starkville for Raleigh would give Jans the opportunity to build a program at a school that prioritizes basketball both in fan support and resource allocation.
Jans’ resume paints a picture of a coach who can win at any level. Jans cut his teeth at the junior college level where he won the NJCAA Division II national championship. Jans also enjoyed success at New Mexico State once he got to the Division I level, winning 25 or more games in four of five seasons. Finally, Jans won 21 games in each of his first three seasons at Mississippi State.
If NC State wants a coach with high-major experience, Jans is the man for the job. He’s won at every level from junior college to the SEC. Additionally, his wealth of experience gives him plenty of connections in recruiting and in-game situations to draw on — a rare bonus for available coaches.
