RALEIGH – NC State men’s basketball head coach Kevin Keatts announced Wednesday that Larry Dixon has joined his staff as an assistant coach.
Dixon comes to NC State after spending the last five seasons as an assistant coach at South Florida.
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors voted in January to allow two more assistant coaches on men’s basketball staffs. Dixon, will serve as one of the Pack’s two new assistant coaches that can engage in coaching activities but may not recruit off campus.
“I think Larry is a great addition to our staff,” Keatts said. “He’s a North Carolina native that has dedicated himself to a coaching career since graduating from college. He started at the high school level in North Carolina and eventually moved up to college and now has been a Division I assistant coach for almost 20 years. I think his experience is going to be a great asset for me and our coaching staff, as well as the young men in our program as we develop them on and off the court.”
Larry Dixon joined the USF coaching staff as assistant coach on May 12, 2018.
In just his second season with the team in 2018-19, Dixon helped USF to the top win turnaround in the NCAA during the 2018-19 season, as the Bulls won 14 more games than the previous season. In addition, USF turned in a 24-14 overall record to set a new single-season school record for wins. The Bulls would go on to win the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) championship and claim the program’s first postseason title since 1990.
Dixon also played an instrumental role in the development of 2019 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year Laquincy Rideau and 2019 American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Alexis Yetna.
Dixon helped USF become one of the top defensive teams in the NCAA during the 2019-20 season, finishing the year ranked 20th in scoring defense by allowing only 62.7 points per game. The Bulls limited eight teams to fewer than 60 points during the season and held 27 of their 31 opponents under their scoring average at the time of play. The Bulls also ranked 44th in the nation in turnovers forced with 15.6 per game, and stood 65th in the NCAA in steals with 7.5 thefts per game.
In 2021-22, Dixon helped develop Russel Tchewa and Corey Walker Jr. into one of the best frontcourt tandems in the league. The Bulls were again among the top defensive teams in the country, ranking 45th in the NCAA in scoring defense (64.9 ppg).
Dixon came to Tampa after five seasons as an assistant at Georgia Southern under head coach Mark Byington. Prior to his stint with the Eagles, Dixon had collegiate assistant coaching jobs at Winthrop (2007-12), East Carolina (2005-07), South Carolina State (2003-05) and St. Andrews College (2002-03).
In his final season at Georgia Southern, Dixon helped lead the Eagles to a 21-12 record, including an 11-7 mark in the Sun Belt. In 2016-17, he helped Georgia Southern reach the postseason for the first time since 2006, playing in the College Basketball Invitational.
Prior to arriving at Georgia Southern, Dixon spent the 2012-13 season as head coach at York Comprehensive High School in York, S.C.
During his five seasons (2007-12) on the coaching staff at Winthrop under head coach Randy Peele, Dixon was recognized as the top assistant coach in the Big South by Fox Sports.
Before entering the college game, Dixon served as the head coach at Garinger High School in Charlotte, N.C. for three seasons. In 2001, he led Garinger to a North Carolina High School sectional championship and earned Mecklenburg County Coach of the Year honors from the Charlotte Observer. Dixon also spent one season as an assistant at Carver High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. and one season at South Rowan High School in his hometown of Salisbury, N.C.
Dixon graduated from Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, N.C) in 1996, where he was a four-year letterman as a player. He was named the team’s most improved player following his junior season and the top defensive player after his senior season. He helped the Golden Bulls to a pair of CIAA Southern Division titles and a championship game appearance as a sophomore.
A native of Salisbury, N.C., Dixon has two children, Devin and Leah.
O’Connell is on campus (6/22) and Woods will be there Monday. (6/26)
Do we have a final roster yet???? My understanding is that everyone is on campus and participating in the workouts except Woods and O’Connell. Woods just signed and in his interview said he is definitely planning to be here for second summer session, which starts June 26. (For grins, someone on the PP board predicted that “if Woods gets the wavier, I predict he’ll be starting by mid season.”) Now that sports betting is legal, I’ll bet he doesn’t get that wavier. I heard O’Connell was 22 credits away from graduating and was going to try to get it done… Read more »
Well, that didn’t take too long. Welcome to the Pack, Kam Woods!!!
NC State 2023 signee Trey Parker reclassifying to 2024. Heard this one before.
You wonder if he was going to be able to get minutes. If so, where? We have 4 guards who are seasoned starters on P6 teams, (Morsell (started 70 games), Horne (107), Taylor (42), O’Connell (76)) Rice is KK’s top recruit ever, you know he’s going to get every opportunity for minutes at the 2, 3, or 4, and will likely start eventually if he’s as good as his clippings say. And if Thomas continues last season’s trajectory, he’ll get plenty of minutes as well, I hope. The harsh reality is, you never can predict accurately, but we probably already… Read more »
I admit it, I am not a Celtics fan. To me, they are the UNC of the NBA.
So I am really enjoying their series against the Heat. Making it even better is seeing former Pack players Caleb Martin and Omar Yurtseven playing for the Heat. Caleb played 35 minutes and scored 18 pts yesterday.
With Casey back, the five returning players should be locked inFreshman Dennis Parker Jr is on campusTransfers Taylor, Horne, Middlebrooks and Rice are on campusO’Connell has 22 credits to complete his econ degree this summer, so he’ll probably be at Stanford all summerNot sure about Diarra, but transfers usually show upWill Trey Parker show up? No reason to think he won’t, but it’s happened before. He’s a heck of a talent. I think that’s our only question mark
Isn’t about time for Joey’s rant on how good, or bad, the new Pack basketball lineup is?
Yep. It’s been too quiet. Also, in other news, Morsell is back for his senior year. Great news in my opinion. I can see him really blooming into a quiet yet powerful player next season.
Casey had career highs in almost every major category last season. I agree, he should have a really good year. I’d like to see him get more aggressive at creating his own shot.
moved
O’Connell signed! We’ve got our point guard. He’s played three seasons, so should have two if he wants them.
Outstanding get for the team. Not a big scorer, but we are loaded with scorers, we just needed someone to lead the team.
He’s started 76 games at Stanford, so will be one of the most experienced players on the team, only behind Burns, Morsell, and Horne. Just what you need in a PG.
NICE! I was hoping for that sort of news. YEEEEEESSSSSSSS!
3.1 assists on just under 26 mpg. Considering the fact a game is 40 minutes, those numbers could go up.
I think you are absolutely right, he’ll get more minutes at a faster pace which should result in his assist numbers rising. And he’s got a big man in the middle with outstanding hands who will score on 50+% of his attempts.
A younger PG might need time to adapt to the speed of the college game, or the physicality, but O’Connell shouldn’t have that problem.
We have eight guards. What are we going to do, have two shifts of four guards and one center. We needed small and power forwards. But now we have two tokens instead of one.
Not sure I’m following you.
We have three guys who call themselves PG, O’Connell, Thomas and Pass.
We have two guys who are definitely centers, Burns and Middlebrooks.
We have two big guys that see themselves as PF, Ross and Dialla.
Then we have Horne, Taylor, Morsell, Rice, Parker, and Parker to play the SG & SF.
And then we have lots of flexibility to swap in and out across the SG, SF, and PF depending on the matchup and who’s playing well.
Don’t follow either. I think we have all the pieces now. A point guard was what we’re were looking for and point guard is what we got.
Better try to get the kid out of Tennessee (Phillips – small forward to replace no one in particular).
And… Isaiah Miranda enters the transfer portal. SMH!!! Can we get one stinking break!!!!!!!!!!
I was disappointed too, but all the evidence makes you wonder how good he was. He never got into a game, even with the walk-ons? His HS rank would make you assume he had to be better than Ebe, but when Dusan went down, Ebe was the backup. Weird. Obviously, he isn’t going pro, we’ll see what he does elsewhere. He certainly looked athletic for a 7′ player during warmups. But, we have a chance to get a real PG. Let’s see if the staff can find someone. I’ll bet the staff has been working on this since Bradley fell… Read more »
Good points. I would have thought we would have seen some playing time from him and nothing. I kept waiting. Maybe this will make more sense as time goes on, or maybe this will be the one that got away.
While I don’t think having Miranda was stopping us (because we obviously still had a scholarship left) unless I’m missing something, I do agree, let’s go grab us a good point guard! Honestly, I think that’s going to be the difference maker. Get me a good point guard and I’ll be like, Miranda who?
Sound as if you’re right, Papajohn. We now have one remaining scholarship and we are looking for a point guard, according to PackPride VIP. Still think something would have opened up somehow had Miranda not transferred. Seems like it should have once Dusan left.
Rumor has it we are trying to lock down a kid named Michael O’Connell from Stanford. Three years playing Pac12 competition would be welcome. He was their starting PG last season, started 28 games. Not a big scorer, only 5.2 ppg, but 3.1 apg, 13 games with 4 or more assists, and 12 assists in one game.
Yeah, like try playing with 5 guards and see where are get. No where is my answer. We need small and power forwards on this team and try something besides high pick and roll every time down the court.
I think one of the reasons we play high pick and roll and a lot of iso is because KK’s offense works best under a team that has a formidable point guard. Look no further than when he had Markell Johnson. That is why we need a point guard. In my opinion, we have all the other parts.
Not with KK as coach. Look at all the players that he has recruited that never stepped on the court.
We have ramped up our pursuit of a guard in the 24 hours since Bradley signed. Shemarri Allen, and Kyron Gibson are on our radar. I get the feeling the staff knows they are going to have a scholarship to give. With Bradley, I thought if someone with his potential decided to sign, we’d figure it out and make it work. But now it feels more like we’re looking for a PG, and filling a scholarship that has yet to open up. Allen grew up in NC. Only one year eligible. Made league All Defensive team last season. Gibson is… Read more »
Interesting. I do get the sense we are not done and PG is our main focus.
Well? Guess that ends that debate. Arizona lands Bradley.
That reinforces my theory that the last place they visit frequently seals the deal.
Memphis’ Tiger’s Basketball Insider has an article titled, “Should Memphis be worried Jaden Bradley might soon commit elsewhere?” Can’t access the article but found it interesting. I know Arizona has been in the mix, so there’s that.
PackPride has some intel on Jaden Bradley on “Hoop Scoop” but it’s VIP. My guess is, if it were anything big, we’d know more.
Two points: First Yes we absolutely need a point guard. Joiner showed that the “coach on the floor” is the key to success even with veterans playing. I think Bradley is working with his accountants and publicists to coordinate his announcement with Memphis and Hardaway. Second: There will always be a contingent of State “fans” who are Keatts haters. A couple of guys that were regulars here still show up on other sites with truly venomous remarks about Keatts and even our own players. I try not to respond but the temptation is there. FINALLY: I miss Howler. Hope he… Read more »
Great, now get in the best shape you can. It was obvious that playing in Denver did not helping your pro stock.
He could hardly breathe after two trips up and back.
Okay, just so you know, I’m OFFICIALLY BACK!!
I’ve renewed my WPC membership and bought my season tickets.
(I guess announcing you’re back is a thing now – or maybe only if you are a grad)
Would have been cool if all of his merch sold for ‘big $30’.
Good to hear. I do wonder if he’s going to stick with what’s working or if he’s going to try more of a body transformation.
Body Transformation…good idea. I doubt a lot will change in his game but slimming down and getting in better physical condition would improve his game. really glad he is back. For some reason, I never doubted he would once I found out he had another year of eligibility.
Word is he’s lost 20 lbs so far this off season. Which is about the amount Miranda supposedly has gained.
Cool! I really like the idea of a weight exchange program. Works well for both parties.
Can I give some my weight to Miranda as well?
He looks slimmer in the latest pictures.
Last season after a road win when he was asked about getting ice cream he said he wasn’t interested. So he was probably focusing on his diet even then, because I don’t believe anyone dislikes ice cream.
He’s a smart guy. He knows this is his last season to market himself for that future employer. And he knows we are now “Levi’s House O’ Bigs” so guys are going to be fighting for minutes. Both really good reasons to work hard this offseason.
Smart indeed. I can’t wait to see this transformation.
On a totally different note, I can’t believe we haven’t heard anything-one way or another-from Jaden Bradley. Not that I think he’s coming her but more that there’s been nary a peep from him on what his plans are. Usually there’s a visit, or someone with some inside news that points the way things are trending but the word on Bradley has been crickets.
Teams are probably trying to get the funds together to pay for him. Every State fan should start a GO FUND BRADLEY site. Horner, and Morsell are surely gone after next year. If Rice has a great year, he will be gone also. The two young recruits are labelled as shooting guards. We need him for the long haul.
I’m less enthusiastic about Bradley as time goes on. I wonder if he’s either too much concerned about max NIL, or just doesn’t know what he wants. Maybe he’s just taking his time evaluating all options, but its not like he doesn’t already have a range of options. He does carry some off court baggage, deserved or not.
Agree, you don’t hear about many players visiting multiple places and then weeks later announcing, ‘having visited 25 schools and carefully analyzing my options and consulting my tax accountants, I have decided to commit to a school I visited many weeks ago.’
Diarra was exceptionally quick, but it seems like if you don’t get them within a week of the OV, you don’t get them.
All fair points. Just think we need a point guard.
Also, I don’t feel like he’s necessarily visiting a ton of schools. It’s just been real quiet. We heard about his visit to Memphis and now, there’s been nothing, not a sound. It feels to me like whatever decision he’s made he’s keeping it quiet.
We absolutely need a PG! All those bigs, and DJ is probably the only one that can get himself a shot. Casey is a ‘catch and shoot’ guy. This team is a good PG away from being really good, at least on paper. However, unfortunately I suspect KK has given up on bringing one in. If not, why haven’t we seen other PGs on official visits? I’ll bet Diarra’s scholly was targeted for Bradley and when they sensed he was not going to happen, they went to plan B. (or ‘D’ in this case) And, should I be wrong and… Read more »
I somehow don’t think Bradley is off the table.
Hope you are correct! 🤞🙏
News but Not News Because I’m No Expert
I noticed one interesting development and not sure if one can read the tea leaves from this but, Ty-Laur Johnson, #14-point guard in the Class of 2023 by 247 Sports and #83 player over all by ESPN, decommitted from Memphis. We also recruited Ty-Laur Johnson, and during that time of recruitment, he had a “High” level of interest in N.C. State.
Decent top 5 list of schools recruiting him, Memphis, Creighton, DePaul, Miss St, and us.
Wonder if that would mess up our relationship with Jaeden Mustaf (2024, top 30, 6’6″ PG – friends with signee Paul McNeil Jr), we’re on his short list.
Recruiting is brutal.
Yeah, I would imagine any PG this year may challenge a recruit for next year. Unless we get a one and done, I’m not sure the alternative of playing without a point guard this year in hopes of nabbing someone good next year is a good one.
Saw an article on FB on the top remaining transfers, it included Bradley and said we were still in the mix for him.
I tried to paste the link but the PI app wouldn’t allow it. But that was about all it said. Memphis & Ariz also in play.
Get the money ready and go get him. Possible 3 years of a good point guard would be nice.