The NC State Wolfpack program has announced that they’re letting head coach Kevin Keatts go after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. That comes just one year after a surprise Final Four run and two-year extension, showing that winning can be done.
Who could replace Keatts? We’ll name five head coaching candidates that NC State should look into, including a couple young hotshots in college basketball.
5 Potential Candidates for the NC State Wolfpack Head Coaching Vacancy
Will Wade, McNeese State
Wade has done a terrific job with the Cowboys in his three seasons at the helm. Last season, McNeese was one of the best teams at the mid-major level and were named a 12th seed in the NCAA Tournament, their first appearance since 2011.
This season, Wade has led the team to a 25-6 overall and 19-1 Southland record, claiming the regular-season title and having another good chance of claiming the conference’s automatic bid through the conference tournament.
Wade’s philosophy is predicated on a ball-hawking defense and a blistering offensive pace — which would fit well in the ACC with the Wolfpack. At only 42 years old, Wade fits the mold of an up-and-coming coach that could break through and be hired by a Power Four program soon enough.
Ben McCollum, Drake
McCollum is of similar ilk as Wade; he’s relatively young (43) and has had tremendous success this season and in years past. Drake is on the verge of either winning the MVC Tournament and receiving an automatic bid or receiving an at-large bid — they’ve been that good.
McCollum’s story is well documented, as he was the head coach at Division-2 Northwest Missouri State for 15 years. In his final 11 years there, his team finished first in the conference. Now, he’ll have a chance to extend that streak with the Bulldogs.
His philosophy is defense, defense, and more defense. He brought four players from Northwest Missouri State with him to Drake, and they’ve all excelled; could he pull off another maneuver and bring them along to NC State and excel at a higher level once again?
Eric Olen, UC San Diego
After transitioning to the Division-1 level in 2020 and joining the Big West Conference, the Tritons had to wait four seasons before becoming eligible for the NCAA Tournament. Just one year after becoming eligible, they have a tremendous chance to make the big dance with a 28-4 overall record and claim the conference’s regular-season title.
The only pushback for Olen to NC State would be his loyalty to the program; he’s been with the program his entire coaching career, getting hired as an assistant coach in 2004. He was promoted to head coach in 2013 and has held that position ever since.
If the Wolfpack could pry him away, he’d be a great candidate as a known program builder through the D-2 to D-1 transition he had to undergo while as the head man of the Tritons.
Richard Pitino, New Mexico
The son of legendary head coach Rick Pitino, Richard has proven to be an excellent coach in his own right. Beginning as a head coach when he was only 29 years old, Pitino has compiled a 244-184 record in 13 seasons as a head coach.
His last four have come with the Lobos, where he’s guided them to the cusp of an NCAA Tournament at-large bid in 2025 as they’re projected to be a No. 8 or 9 seed.
The Lobos play at a fast pace with tough defense, a Pitino staple. He’s also shown himself to be a terrific recruiter, which is needed in the ACC with NC State.
KEEP READING: How Much Did Kevin Keatts Make at NC State? Salary, Contract, and Net Worth
Sam Cassell, Boston Celtics Assistant Coach
Cassell, a former player in the ACC with the Florida State Seminoles, was just spurned from that job after they decided to go in a different direction after considering him as a candidate.
If he still wants to coach in the ACC, NC State would be a solid destination to begin his head coaching career. The expectations wouldn’t be too high right away, and Cassell would be able to find out and implement whatever culture best fits his team.
The only holdup is that it would be his first head coaching job, which may not be what the Wolfpack are looking for — but Cassell’s name is certain to come up in college coaching vacancies in the years to come.
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