Pack in the Pros
Former NC State Player, Nate McMillan, Now Officially Atlanta Hawks’ Head Coach
This last four months has been wild for McMillan. From bottom dwellers to two wins from NBA Finals, the loss of ‘Interim’ from his title was eminent. Monday, according to Woj himself, McMillan signed a four-year deal with the Hawks to become their longterm head coach.
Enter Nate McMillan
Heading into the All-Star break, the Hawks were 14-20 and 11th in the East. On March 1, they fired Head Coach Lloyd Pierce and named McMillan interim HC. Since that point, Hawks have been arguably the hottest team in the NBA. They went 27-11 the remainder of the year, won the Southeast Division, upset the Knicks in the first round, had a miracle comeback against the 76ers to win that series and pushed the Milwaukee Bucks to the bring in the Eastern Conference Finals. I can assure you, every single person in Atlanta would have accepted this team knocking on the Finals door back in March.
Every. Single. Statistical. Category has been improved under McMillan. The team not only is clicking on all cylinders production-wise, but 1000% believe in themselves. The swagger they played with in Madison Square Garden was intense. Then they backed it up in Philly and almost again in Milwaukee.
Road to Coaching
If you focus on regular seasons, Nate McMillan has quite impressive record. In his last seven full seasons behind the bench, every team is above .500 and in the playoffs. Prior to Atlanta, McMillan was the head coach of the Pacers, where his last three seasons were all 2nd in the Central and floating around 60% winning percentage.
The problem has always been the playoffs.
While McMillan has a .535 overall winning percentage in the regular season, that drops to .321 in the playoffs. Outside of this run by the Hawks, his teams have been bounced in the first round 8 of 10 tries.
Yet you look at his back-to-back 48-34 seasons, followed by 45-28 shortened season and now this crazy run with the Hawks and realize; maybe he finally has the postseason answer?
Trae Young loves him and wanted him to stay. When news of hiring broke, Young had three words to say,
“Let’s Work Coach!”
State Career
After spending two years at Chowan College, McMillan came home to Raleigh to play for Jim Valvano. In his first year back, he helped the Wolfpack grab a share of first in the ACC regular season. Both years, State made it to the Elite Eight. During his career, he spread the wealth across the stat sheet; 5.1 REBs, 6 ASTs, 2.2 STLs, 1 BLK, and 8.5 PTS.
All but 1 of NC State’s 2024 MLB Draft Picks and Undrafted Free Agents have signed with their respective teams.
Center Fielder Eli Serrano III was drafted in the 4th round with the 111th overall pick by the New York Mets. He signed for $697,500, which was $41,400 more than the slot value for the pick. Serrano III had 2 more years of college eligibility, but opted to turn pro.
The #Mets signed 4th rounder Eli Serrano for $697,500. Slot value for the 111th pick is $656,400.
— Carlos Collazo (@CarlosACollazo) July 22, 2024
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Shortstop Brandon Butterworth has signed with the Padres, who drafted him the 12th round with the 360th overall pick. Butterworth had one more year of college eligibility, but opted to turn pro.
Pitcher Sam Highfill has signed as an Undrafted Free Agent with the Phillies.
One chapter ends, another begins pic.twitter.com/SapbE4Ltqx
— Sam Highfill (@samhighfill11) July 25, 2024
Pitcher Logan Whitaker was drafted by the Twins in the 19th round with the 578th overall pick. He signed for $10,000.
An event that majority of people told me was nearly impossible. Here’s to the end of an era and a start to a new adventure. Time to get to work. pic.twitter.com/HdOsDmU6vB
— Logan Whitaker (@_whitaker_10) July 25, 2024
#Twins day three signings:
11R Michael Carpenter: $508,500 ($358,500 to bonus pool)
12R Christian Becerra: $150,000
13R Xavier Kolhosser: $150,000
14R Jacob Kisting: $125,000
17R Jay Thomason: $50,000
18R Michael Ross: $150,000
19R Logan Whitaker: $10,000— Carlos Collazo (@CarlosACollazo) July 25, 2024
3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz signed as an Undrafted Free Agent with the White Sox.
1st Baseman Garrett Pennington signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tigers.
Shortstop Devin Fitz-Gerald, who was going to be an incoming Freshman in 2025, was drafted by the Rangers in the 5th Round. He signed his deal, with a signing bonus worth $900,000.
#Ranger signing bonuses, per source:
1 Malcolm Moore $3 million
2 Dylan Dreiling $1,287,600
3 Casey Cook $700K
4 David Hagaman $515K
5 Devin Fitz-Gerald $900K
6 Garrett Horn $250K
7 Rafe Perich $175K
8 Anthony Susac $200K
9 Keith Jones II $30K
10 Jake Jekielek $20K— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) July 25, 2024
Catcher Jacob Cozart was drafted by the Guardians in the 2nd Round with the 48th overall pick. He has yet to sign his deal. The slot value for his deal is $1.94 million. Cozart has 1 year of college eligibility remaining, but there’s no expectation that he will be returning next season for the Wolfpack.
Every year, NFL.com ranks the Top-100 players heading into the season, and the voting is done by the players. Former NC State All-American Bradley Chubb didn’t crack the Top-100 heading into last season, but heading into 2024, he ranks 62nd.
Whether you were a quarterback or running back who went against the Dolphins, Chubb’s presence in the trenches was potent. He led the league with six forced fumbles while also recording 73 tackles, 22 QB hits, 11 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He reached the double-digit sack mark for the first time since his rookie season in 2018. Chubb suffered a torn ACL late in the 2023 season and there hasn’t been a timeline on when he’ll return for the 2024 campaign, but he certainly left his mark last year.
(NFL)
In 2017, Chubb was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming only the 2nd NC State player to earn the honor. He also was named a Consensus 1st Team All-American. Chubb took home the Bronko Nagurski and Ted Hendrick’s awards. He is NC State’s career leader in Sacks and Tackles for Loss.
Pack in the Pros
Former NC State All-American’s Thuney & McNeill Make CBS Sports’ Top-100 NFL Players of ’24
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports shared his Top-100 NFL Players heading into the 2024 season, and two former NC State All-Americans made the list: Offensive Guard Joe Thuney (Chiefs) & Defensive Tackle Alim McNeill (Lions).
| 86 |
 Joe ThuneyKANSAS CITY CHIEFS OG
|
| As part of the best interior-line group in the league, he excels in pass protection. He did miss time last season and in the playoffs, which is concerning since he turns 32 in November. (Last season: No. 80) | |
| 89 |
 Alim McNeillDETROIT LIONS DT
|
| He had his breakout season in 2023, flashing ability as a run stopper but also as a player who could push the pocket inside. He had five sacks, but I expect that number to be higher this season. (Last season: NR) | |
(CBS)
Thuney is coming off a season in which he earned 1st Team All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl invite and a Super Bowl ring. In 2015, Thuney earned 1st Team All-American honors at NC State from the USAToday, and 3rd Team honors from the AP.
McNeill’s PFF Grade of 86.8 was the 2nd best on Detroit’s defense, and the 7th best at his position in the NFL. In 2020, McNeill earned 1st Team All-American honors at NC State from PFF, and 2nd Team honors from the AP.
Hew was an intense competitor.
and he was a bean pole… put on lots and lots of weight since then. V loved him.