Former AD Debbie Yow says Keatts ‘deserves a reset’ now that NCAA sanction situation is cleared. I agree.

I was a Debbie Yow fan. I still am.

Say what you want, but Debbie Yow was fierce. She was a fighter for this University, but she also was very pragmatic and transparent. She welcomed conversation with the fans, media and wasn’t scared to get on Twitter and voice her opinion.

Yow didn’t have some PR firm running her account. She didn’t hide behind vague coach-speak. She told it like it was. She rubbed some the wrong way, fine, but in my opinion, those people were little softies who get nervous around people with a spine. She wasn’t just a hard-nosed leader, she was a success.

In 2018 she had moved NC State all the way up to 15th nationally in the Director’s Cup (basically a ranking for Athletic programs based on all sports).

Prior to Debbie Yow, NC State’s highest ranking was 32nd in 1994. She took over for a program ranked 89th! In just 6 years she had them ranked 15th. The next year they were almost just as good, ranked 26th, and they continue to shine, finishing 23rd this year (should have been 18th). New AD Boo Corrigan is getting the credit now, but these are mostly all coaches that Yow installed.

So why am I setting up this piece by propping up Debbie Yow?  Well, because some of you have attention spans of mice, and likely forget the type of success Yow brought to NC State. And thus, you will likely delve into some weird argument about her word not mattering because she’s not the AD, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Anyways, in classic form, she responded to NC State fans who called for her opinion after the UNC loss. Here is what she had to say…

During my 9 years at State, we hired 17 head coaches. One was a mistake and he left years ago. Coach Keatts deserves a reset, now that the ncaa issue cannot be used against him in recruiting. Yes, I believe in his leadership.

— Debbie Yow (@gopacknow) January 29, 2022

So Yow is batting 94% on her hires, and she’s publically backing Keatts, pointing out how the NCAA sanctions have hurt him in recruiting. Something I’ve touched on quite a bit, including in this piece.

But then, the legendary JanJones chimes in and GOES ON THE RECORD to refute Debbie Yow’s claim.

Oh wait, you don’t know who JanJones is? No, neither does anyone else outside of the 144 followers they have on that account. But hey, don’t worry, just because you are an irrelevant Twitter troll doesn’t mean Debbie Yow doesn’t have time for you. She responded…

I was in discussions jointly w Coach and recruit families while still at State. The (unreal) 4 years wait for resolution mattered in recruiting. As one Mom told me “My son wants to play for Coach Keatts, but others say u will not be in NCAA tourney.”

— Debbie Yow (@gopacknow) January 29, 2022

She’s questioned again… She responds again.

Yessir. Discussed specifically. (Tweets often do not allow for details). Not surprising strategy. But the length of time to reach resolution of the issue was a surprise.

— Debbie Yow (@gopacknow) January 30, 2022

And for those of you on the edge of your seat wondering how JanJones took the direct response. As you guess, JanJones stood down…

Thank you for clearing that up. I didn’t realize that.

— JANJONES (@JANJONES7) January 29, 2022

But Debbie Yow did not let it go. She was still thinking about it when she went to bed. She was thinking about these people’s complaints and wondering if they had a point, and if so, what that point really was. The next morning she responded with this…

After sleeping, this what I see: Agreement: we played beneath our ability, that injuries matter, so does the now-settled ncaa issue, in general. Divergence of opinion: The “why”we played poorly and the course for the future. Appreciate y’all. Go Pack.

— Debbie Yow (@gopacknow) January 30, 2022

OMG! A woman of the people, folks.

I will say it to anyone that will listen. We didn’t know what we had in Debbie Yow. I true leader, not drunk with power, just someone who loves NC State and wants the best for them.

That’s why, when she speaks, I listen.

The tables were literally turned 5 years ago, when Keatts came in and took a 4 win team in the ACC and turned them into an 11 win team the next year. Meanwhile, Dave Doeren had an 0-8 ACC season under his belt, followed by three straight 3-5 ACC seasons. They were calling the guy “Donut Dave” for the 0-8 season. They were all over Yow for the hire. He eventually turned it around. Now NC State fans praise Yow for the hire.

See how it works.

If there is anyone I can trust on whether or not Keatts really has what it takes to make it in the ACC, it’s Debbie Yow.

For me, you have to earn my trust. You have to earn the right for me to take you as a credible source. Yow earned it with me, and if you were paying attention, she should have earned it with you.

She says to stay the course. Let him reset with the full ability to recruit. Without sanctions hanging over his head.

Look, the truth is, no great player from outside of the state is ever going to pick NC State over a current powerhouse because of the name. They are going to have to be wowed by Keatts, or the culture he’s instilled. And if there is one red flag, they’re gone. That’s how thin the margins are at NC State right now. That’s what 20 years of subpar basketball gets you.

Well, that red flag has lifted. It’s gone. So listen to Debbie Yow and simmer down for a minute. Let’s see what the guy can do with a level playing field.

She believes Keatts is the guy for the job or she wouldn’t be jumping on Twitter to defend him. Who are you to question her? JanJones?