NC State expected to hire former star guard Justin Gainey as head coach

NC State is prepared to turn to one of its own as it prepares for the future. ABC 11 has learned that former Wolfpack guard Justin Gainey is expected to be named the program's next head men's basketball coach. "I'm excited to get a State guy back.

Someone is going to be here for a while," said Henry Nichols, President of the Student Wolfpack Club. Gainey, a North Carolina native, starred at NC State from 1996-2000 before building a coaching résumé that spans Marquette, Arizona, Santa Clara, Appalachian State, and Elon. He worked on Sidney Lowe's staff at NC State as an administrative coordinator from 2006-2008.

"(McMurray Family Director of Athletics) Boo Corrigan said it -- he wants a guy who is here for the school, wants to represent the red and white on and off the court, and Justin Gainey is that guy," Nichols said. "I think we're going to give him the best he could ask for as far as the fan support. As students, we were loud this year, but I expect this to be that loud, if not louder next year," said Will Zieverink, who is also with the Student Wolfpack Club.

Gainey has spent the past five seasons as an assistant at Tennessee under head coach Rick Barnes, who praised the longtime assistant's strengths. "I hope he gets that job, because I don't think there's anyone in the country that loves NC State more than Justin Gainey. He's a North Carolina native.