Mark Armstrong of ABC 11 dropped a missile on Wolfpack nation last night with this segment.
Armstrong is saying that multiple sources are telling him that over the weekend the decision was made that Gottfried would not return after the season. However, NC State quickly came out with an official statement making it clear that Gottfried was still the coach and nothing had been decided.
So what is the truth? Believe me, we’ve been on the phone constantly over the past few hours and have talked to every source we’ve had over 8 years and here is what we’ve got:
– There has been no ‘official’ decision to let go Gottfried, but the NC State decision makers have seen just about enough. But that doesn’t mean he’s gone. They are letting him ride out the season (as of right now) and while there is probably a decent chance it’s the end of the line for him, I’m very confident that Mark Armstrong’s source may have jumped the gun in saying “it’s been decided.”
– Armstrong also reported that NC State has put out preliminary feelers for Archie Miller. Let me just say this. If your are an AD and you are about to finish last in the ACC and you are even THINKING about getting rid of your coach, then you are not doing you job if you AREN’T putting out feelers at this point. Has Debbie Yow contacted Archie or his agent? Nope. Have donors reached out to people that know Miller to gauge his interest? Pretty good chance that’s a yes. But again, this really isn’t any breaking news. It also doesn’t mean that Gottfried is leaving. It just means that it’s a possibility and options are open right now. I also know that NC State does not have a coach waiting in the wings. So the theory that they are letting go of Gottfried because they have someone lined up, is 100% wrong as of this moment.
So where is Armstrong getting his information? I don’t know. He’s pretty well connected, but we’ve gotten different information from three separate sources that have been very accurate with this type of information in the past. All three are saying basically that “yeah, they’re mad, but they haven’t decided he’s gone for sure.” Could they be shielding the truth in hopes to keep the info under wraps until the proper time? Sure. That is very possible, however all we can do is report the information we’re given.
Either way you cut it. If anything Armstrong says ends up being true, then it’s a straight up embarrassment for our program. If this somehow does turn our to be correct then whoever is out there leaking this information is doing NC State no good at all. Thomas Allen (4 star, 2018 commit) has already reached out to a member of the media to try to figure out what is going on at NC State (however he tweeted last night that he is still committed – which is not really news since he has already signed is LOI.) You have a basketball team who still has a little less than 1/2 the ACC season left to play wondering if their coach has basically been fired. You have now made it clear that Archie is in our sights and likely have pushed Dayton’s timeframe up to put together some mega package to attempt to keep him around.
NC State once again finds themselves in a embarrassing situation with what looks like all their dirty laundry hanging out for everyone to see. I’m not sure if this is the fault of the program itself, a very leaky board of trustees, or media members who jump to conclusions when it comes to NC State.
However you slice it, are you really surprised? You’re an NC State fan. You’re used to Murphy’s law always being in order.
Miller had a front row seat, literally, for the fans and in particular the Wolfpack Club turning on Sendek. I suspect 2006 was enough to sour him on ever wanting to come back, but you never know? Maybe it’s not too late to rekindle some interest from Gregg Marshall. Too bad we’re a year late on Bryce Drew.
Well, we haven’t done a proper coaching search in 30 years so is anyone surprised at another bungling? Even Yow who is thought to be a good AD hired a guy who was out of coaching after being fired. If Yow hired Lutz, I will give her props for that. That was her finest move. But Doeren & Gottfried? Hope she gets it right this time.