N.C. State Coach Mark Gottfried Won’t Return Next Season


N.C. State announced Thursday that coach Mark Gottfried won’t return for the 2017-18 campaign but will finish out the rest of this season with the struggling Wolfpack.


N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried was expected to guide a talented roster that included star freshman Dennis Smith Jr. to another NCAA Tournament and contend for the ACC title.

Instead, the Wolfpack sit at the bottom of the conference, and Gottfried will soon be out of a job.

Athletic director Debbie Yow announced Thursday that Gottfriend will not return as coach for the 2017-18 season with N.C. State’s only hope of reaching the NCAA Tournament being a miraculous run to the ACC tournament title. Gottfried will finish out the season.

“Mark and I met (Thursday) to discuss the future direction of our program,” Yow said in a statement. “While it has long been my practice to evaluate the body of work at season’s end, in reviewing the overall direction of our program, we believe a change in leadership is necessary moving forward.”

Gottfried is in his sixth season with N.C. State and is 122-82 with a 47-55 mark in ACC play. He took the Wolfpack to the NCAA Tournament in his first four seasons with two Sweet 16 appearances before missing the Tournament last year. He’s made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances overall including stops at Murray State and Alabama.

“It’s been a privilege to serve as coach of NC State, and I’m proud of what we accomplished during my time here,” Gottfried said in a statement. “NC State is a special place and I appreciate the opportunity to finish the remainder of the season.”

Reports surfaced earlier in the week that Yow was considering a coaching change. The Wolfpack then dropped to 14-13 and 3-11 in ACC play with Wednesday’s 97-73 loss to rival North Carolina at home. They’ve lost six straight games since a stunning 84-82 upset victory at Duke on Jan. 23.

N.C. State has continued to struggle despite the play of Smith, who is averaging 19 points and 6.7 assists after finishing with 27 points and six assists against the Tar Heels. He’s expected to be a lottery pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

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