Gainey Brings a Winning Pedigree to NC State

NC State officially announced Justin Gainey as their next head coach this afternoon, and his introductory press conference will be held tomorrow at the Lenovo Center. This will be Gainey’s first head coaching job, but the former NC State point guard is no stranger to winning. He has been part of teams ranked in the Top 25 and has made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.

Over the past five seasons at Tennessee, the Volunteers have averaged 26.8 wins per season. In the prior four years, Tennessee has finished ranked in the AP Top 25 each year, and they are expected to do so again at the end of this season. In fact, the Volunteers have finished 5th in three of the past four seasons.

2021-22: 5th
2022-23: 20th
2023-24: 5th
2024-25: 5th

While in Knoxville, the Volunteers have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of the five seasons, winning at least one game in every trip to the Big Dance. The worst Tennessee performed in the NCAA Tournament with Gainey on the bench was a second-round exit.

2021-22: 2nd round
2022-23: Sweet 16
2023-24: Elite Eight
2024-25: Elite Eight
2025-26: Elite Eight

While at Arizona, the Wildcats did not make the NCAA Tournament in 2019-20, but they were ranked in 13 AP polls, reaching as high as No. 12 at one point.

In the four seasons Gainey was at Marquette, the Golden Eagles were never ranked. However, in 2016-17 they did make the NCAA Tournament, losing in the first round.