N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried is in serious trouble and could be out as soon as this week, barring a major turnaround, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
Mark Armstrong of ABC11 in North Carolina also reported that the school has made the decision to fire Gottfried, 53, after the season. Gottfried is 122-81 in five-plus seasons at N.C. State.
N.C. State has already begun reaching out to potential replacements, The Sporting News reported, with ESPN adding that Dayton’s Archie Miller, an N.C. State alumnus, would be a top target but is unlikely to take the job.
“My focus is 100 percent on UNC tonight and finding a way to get on a late run to make our fifth NCAA Tournament in six years,” Gottfried told ZAGSBLOG by text on Wednesday morning.
Despite featuring Dennis Smith, the projected N. 4 pick in the NBA Draft per DraftExpress.com, the Wolfpack are 14-12, 3-10 in the ACC entering Wednesday’s game with arch-rival North Carolina. They have dropped five straight.
“He could be gone this week, if they get pounded by North Carolina tomorrow night,” one source close to the situation told ESPN on Tuesday night.
In addition to Smith, the Wolfpack also feature 7-foot freshman Omer Yurtseven, now projected at No. 33 in the 2018 Draft by DraftExpress.com.
“They have more than enough talent to get to the NCAA tourney,” one ACC coach told ESPN. “They just don’t play hard at all.”
Gottfried still has three years at $2.3 million remaining on his deal, ESPN reported.
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