Less than a year ago, Kevin Keatts and the North Carolina State Wolfpack were on a spectacular journey, capturing attention with their first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship in almost 38 years and an incredible march to their first Final Four in even longer. Fast forward to the present, Keatts finds himself without a job.
On Sunday, N.C. State made the unexpected decision to part ways with Keatts, ending his eight-year leadership amid the team’s inability to overcome the setbacks of this season, despite last year’s impressive achievements. The news came shortly after the Wolfpack concluded a disappointing 12-19 season, failing to earn a spot in the ACC Tournament as the defending champions.
Athletic Director Boo Corrigan expressed gratitude towards Coach Keatts for his positive contributions and for representing the university admirably. “Coach Keatts will always be remembered fondly in Wolfpack history for his 2023-24 team’s achievements,” Corrigan stated, wishing Keatts and his family well moving forward.
Reflecting on his tenure, Keatts shared on social media that the last eight years were “a dream come true.” He expressed confidence that although he is departing, the basketball program is in a stronger position to succeed than when he arrived, and he is optimistic it will continue to excel with adequate support.
Keatts highlighted the evolving college sports environment, referencing the newfound freedom players have to move between programs. “I am officially entering the portal,” he posted.
With a contract extending through April 2030, Keatts’ dismissal means a buyout from N.C. State, amounting to approximately $6.9 million in base salary alone. During his time at N.C. State, Keatts achieved a 151-113 record, with a 69-84 tally in ACC games. His leadership saw the team make three NCAA Tournament appearances, with the highlight being last year’s curtain-raising ACC Tournament triumph since 1987, and advancing to the Final Four for their first time since the memorable 1983 championship campaign.
Keatts’ dismissal is surprising, considering the previous year’s high points. Yet, the inability to sustain that drive ultimately led to this season’s poor outcomes. Efforts to rejuvenate the squad via the transfer portal didn’t pay off, resulting in a poor 5-15 conference record, even failing to qualify for the expanded 18-team ACC Tournament.
On the road, Keatts’ tradition of celebrating victories with ice cream went unfulfilled this season, with the team unable to secure a single road win. The season ended with a disappointing loss to a weak Miami team on Saturday.
Keatts’ tenure faced several obstacles, beginning with the task of stabilizing a shaky program and managing in the shadow of a federal corruption case linked to his predecessor, Mark Gottfried. This investigation loomed for years, concluding with probation in December 2021.
Throughout his tenure, Keatts registered five 20-win seasons but struggled to deliver consistent triumphs that the fanbase deeply desired, highlighted by the past year’s mixed performances. Since taking over in 2017 from UNC Wilmington, Keatts had vowed success at his first press conference. He did boost the program from its decline under Gottfried, initially achieving a 21-win season and overcoming top-ranked opponents.
His early success led to multiple 20-win seasons, although one saw them miss the NCAA Tournament cut, and another was disrupted by COVID-19’s impact on the 2020 tournament. The last two years marked a remarkable resurgence, ending with last year’s memorable runs.
But, as quickly as it began, the chapter closes.
