Despite speculation otherwise the North Carolina State Wolfpack will retain basketball Head Coach Kevin Keatts next season. While the basketball program has not exactly recovered under his leadership, North Carolina State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan reaffirmed his faith in the Head Coach. The team has two regular-season games left in the season and then will play at least one game in the 2022 ACC Tournament. Barring a Championship run, they will not be invited to a postseason tournament this season.
NC State retaining Kevin Keatts… even as the team trends towards its worst finish in the KenPom era. https://t.co/1Lyxwg9HT2
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) March 2, 2022
One season does not define a coach or their program, but North Carolina State is currently 11-18 overall and 4-14 in ACC play this season. His career record with the Wolfpack looks better with an overall record of 90-63 and an ACC record of 42-46. The current athletic department at North Carolina State seems content to give Kevin Keatts at least one more year to right the ship before they allow it to sink. In his tenure, he has only made the NCAA Tournament in his first season and was eliminated in the first round. They also made the NIT Quarterfinals twice.
North Carolina State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan also said the following when discussing Kevin Keatts: “With everything that’s gone on since he’s been here, with the NCAA and the injuries, it’s not an excuse, but I think the way he’s performed across the board academically and socially, and what he’s done with the program, increasing graduation rates that needs to be considered.”
The basketball program will keep their current Head Coach for at least one more year and their performance could determine the path forward for the Wolfpack.
