Justin Gainey is back home—and he’s already making waves.
After spending years away from NC State, Gainey has returned to the program where he once played under Herb Sendek. His journey since then has taken him across the country and back: coaching stints at Appalachian State, Santa Clara (reuniting with Sendek), Arizona (under Sean Miller), Marquette (with Steve Wojciechowski), and most recently Tennessee (learning from Rick Barnes).
What does that résumé tell us? Two things: some of the sharpest minds in college basketball have recognized Gainey’s talent, and he’s had the privilege of soaking up wisdom from proven winners.
Though he hasn’t coached a game yet, the early returns are promising. According to the Raleigh News & Observer, Gainey is already leaving a strong impression—not with flashy promises, but with deliberate, smart moves.
First, he’s prioritizing relationships. He’s actively building trust with current and former players, a stark contrast to his predecessor’s approach. In college basketball, loyalty is the foundation of any successful program, and Gainey is laying that groundwork early.
Second, his staff hires are turning heads. While most of former coach Kevin Keatts’ staff moved on, Gainey kept Patrick Stacy—an assistant GM with a sharp analytics mind who has clearly impressed the new boss.
Beyond Stacy, Gainey has assembled an intriguing mix of talent:
- Alvin Brooks (Kentucky) – a proven recruiter
- Matthew Driscoll – tapped as offensive coordinator
- Anthony Goins (Georgia) – brings strong offensive expertise
- Riley Collins (Tennessee) – former assistant director of player development
- Ognjen Vasiljević (South Alabama) – valuable European basketball connections
We don’t yet know the full picture of the roster Gainey is assembling. But if his early focus on relationships and smart staffing is any indication, he’s setting the stage for something sustainable.
The bottom line: Gainey isn’t wasting time talking about what he’ll do. He’s grinding, building, and putting NC State first—not his next job. And for a program hungry for stability, that’s exactly the kind of energy that wins.