Mark Gottfried is Restoring the Pack

NC State’s Mark Gottfried has done an excellent job of retooling the Pack since his arrival in 2011.  GoPack just put out a great article that highlights some of the accomplishments Gottfried and his staff have made since taking over at NC State.  After the commitment of Dennis Smith Jr. last night, this article could not have come out at a better time.  Here are some of the main talking points and facts that stood out.

• The Wolfpack had only 5 trips to the NCAA Tournament in the 20 years prior to  Mark Gottfried’s arrival.  Coach Gottfried and the Pack have made four straight NCAA Tournament and a pair of Sweet Sixteen appearances.
• NC State has regained its’ competitive edge in the ACC.  State averaged just 5.9 ACC wins over a 20 year stretch, but since Gottfried has come on board the Wolfpack have increased their average wins to 10 a season.
• In the last four years NC State has won 92 games…the highest four year total in 40 years. (1973-74, 100)
• PNC Arena has become one of the most impressive home court advantages in the country.  Attendance has spiked from 25th in the country to 12th last season, as they sold out 5 of the last 7 games of the season.
• Gottfried and company have raised the stakes in the scheduling department.  Under Coach Gottfried the Wolfpack has increased their strength of schedule dramatically.  In his four seasons the Wolfpack have had an average strength of schedule of 22.25. (out of 351 teams)
• Last season the Pack played the 6th toughest schedule in the nation and had big wins over Duke, Villanova (#1 Seed NCAA Tournament) and road victories over UNC and Louisville.

NC State is on the right path when it comes to regaining national prominence.  Mark Gottfried has proved to be an excellent hire by Debbie Yow.  Not only has he competed with Duke and UNC on the hardwood but he is challenging them in recruiting.  Another big factor in Gottfried’s success has been his ability to keep his staff happy and together. Coach Bobby Lutz,  Orlando Early, Rob Moxley, and Jeff Dunlap have been at NC State since his arrival and that continuity has been instrumental in the restoration process.

Click over to GoPack.com to read the whole EXPOSURE article on Gottfried.