There has already been a lot of movement in the coaching carousel, some moves crazier than others. NC State is out of a head coach as Will Wade has made his return to LSU, but that isn't even the craziest part.
LSU hired back Will Wade before they had even told current head coach Matt McMahon that he was being let go. The news that McMahon was fired came after the news of the hiring of Wade, so that is certainly a crazy way to be fired.
With Wade leaving to return to the Tigers, that means for the second straight year, NC State is in the market for a head coach. The Wolfpack are on the hunt, and it seems like Tennessee assistant coach Justin Gainey is in the mix. Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes probably wouldn't want to see one of his top assistants go, but he also knows how great a coach he is.
"If NC State knew what I knew they’d be begging him to be their coach," Barnes said.
Rick Barnes on assistant Justin Gainey, who is interviewing with NC State: “If NC State knew what I knew they’d be begging him to be their coach”
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 28, 2026
Gainey is very familiar with NC State as he once played for the Wolfpack from 1996 to 2000. It was reported that Gainey was meeting with NC State one Saturday night, the night before Tennessee would be taking on Michigan in the Elite Eight on Sunday.
Of course, Gainey is keeping his attention on Tennessee while they are still in the NCAA Tournament, but this could be too good an opportunity to pass up right now. Barnes spoke so highly of Gainey and about his love for NC State.
Gainey is a big part of Barnes' staff and would leave a big hole if he were to be hired by the Wolfpack, but Barnes knows how much Gainey loves NC State and would be happy to see him return to his Alma Mater.