Top NC State coaching target removes himself from search
Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz was viewed as a top candidate for the Wolfpack job, but he is reportedly no longer a candidate to replace Will Wade.
Another power conference program has reportedly swung and missed on Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz. According to multiple reports, Schertz is withdrawing his name from consideration for the vacancy at NC State, which opened when former coach Will Wade left to return to LSU . Schertz was the subject of several power conference searches earlier in the cycle, but he ultimately agreed to a new deal to stick with the Billikens.
Schertz is a Brooklyn native and has plenty of East Coast ties. He has coached multiple assistant stints in the state of North Carolina at both Queens and High Point. However, it seems he'll be sticking it out for a third season at Saint Louis, despite NC State's pursuit.
Schertz led the Billikens to a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament and a Round of 32 berth before they were ultimately bounced by top-seeded Michigan . Source: Saint Louis' Josh Schertz is no longer a candidate for the head coaching vacancy at NC State.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 29, 2026 With Schertz reportedly out of the search, the Wolfpack could ultimately turn its attention to Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey, a former NC State player and administrator who has served on Rick Barnes' staff since 2021. NC State is conducting its second head coaching search in as many years after Wade departed following his first season. Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads.