NC State Basketball Ends Partnership with Head Coach Kevin Keatts

In a surprising development, Kevin Keatts’ eight-year tenure as head coach of the N.C. State men’s basketball team has come to an end. The university announced the decision on Sunday, signaling a significant shift for the program.

This announcement arrives less than a year after Keatts guided the Wolfpack to an impressive Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a memorable run to the Final Four. However, the recent season concluded with a disappointing 12-19 record, prompting the move.

Athletic director Boo Corrigan expressed gratitude toward Keatts for his efforts, particularly acknowledging last year’s deep NCAA tournament run. In a statement, Corrigan noted the importance of the coach’s contributions.

“I want to thank Coach Keatts for his contributions to N.C. State and for always representing the university with class,” Corrigan stated. “He will always have a treasured place in Wolfpack history for the accomplishments of his 2023-24 squad, and I appreciate the passion he brought to this role. We wish him and his family the best in the future.”

Reflecting on his time at N.C. State, Keatts described the past eight years as “a dream come true.”

In a social media post, he conveyed his belief that the program is better positioned for future success. “As we enter this new era of college sports, I wholeheartedly believe that I am leaving the program in a better position to succeed than when I started,” Keatts wrote. “The basketball program will continue to thrive when supported to the level necessary to compete.”

During his stint at N.C. State, Keatts achieved a 151-113 overall record, including a 69-84 mark in ACC play. His leadership led to three NCAA tournament appearances, with the most notable being the recent journey that brought the Wolfpack to their first Final Four since the era of the late Jim Valvano.

Despite the high points, Keatts faced numerous challenges throughout his tenure, especially in sustaining momentum after the team’s 2024-25 successes. The retooling through the transfer portal that had previously benefited the Wolfpack failed this season, resulting in a troubling league record of 5-15.

This coaching change emerges as Keatts contended with several hurdles during his time, including the ongoing shadows of a federal corruption investigation linked to his predecessor, Mark Gottfried. Following years of uncertainty, the program was placed on a year of probation in December 2021.

When Keatts was hired in 2017 from UNC Wilmington, he promised that “Kevin Keatts is a winner” during his introductory news conference. He delivered on this promise initially, particularly as N.C. State sought to recover from Gottfried’s final two seasons, which saw the program struggle despite four consecutive NCAA tournament bids.

Keatts’ first season culminated in 21 wins, including victories over highly regarded teams such as Duke, UNC, and Arizona, eventually leading the Wolfpack back to the NCAA tournaments.

The decision to part ways with Keatts signifies a pivotal moment for N.C. State basketball. His legacy, punctuated by significant NCAA tournament appearances and notable achievements, will always be a part of the program’s history.

As the team looks forward to its next chapter, fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see how the program navigates this transition. The search for a new head coach begins immediately, as the university aims to find someone capable of reviving the team’s fortunes.

In the evolving landscape of college basketball, both N.C. State and Kevin Keatts now stand at a crossroads. Each is poised to redefine their respective futures in an increasingly competitive environment.