Just a day after his UNCW Seahawks played in their second straight NCAA Tournament, Kevin Keatts was hired as the new head coach at nearby NC State. Keatts was one of the hottest mid-major coaches this season and was rumored to be on the wishlist for pretty much every Power 5 opening.
Keatts comes to Raleigh after a spectacular three-year run at UNCW, winning three CAA regular season titles, two CAA Tournaments and two coveted NCAA Tournament berths. The Seahawks were 72-28 (41-13) during Keatts’ tenure. The coach arrived in Wilmington in 2014 after spending three seasons on Rick Pitino‘s staff at Louisville – he was part of the Cardinals’ 2013 National Championship run.
Outside of college, Keatts has spent a total of 10 seasons as the head coach at prep school powerhouse Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA. He won two national championships with Hargrave, compiling an impressive 262-17 record during his tenure.
The NC State program is looking to return to its days as a true ACC contender. The Wolfpack made four NCAA Tournaments in five years under previous head coach Mark Gottfried, but never finished higher than a tie for 4th during that time. Hiring Keatts, a proven winner with ties to the local area, should also help the Pack in important in-state recruiting battles with Duke and North Carolina.
