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It looks like UNC won’t be the only team in the state of North Carolina looking for a new men’s head basketball coach.
Reports today have LSU hiring back the coach (Will Wade) they fired for multiple allegations, including being caught on a federal wiretap for recruiting violations.
Now that NIL is upon us and players are getting paid, all is apparently forgiven in Baton Rouge. So goes the way of the riverboat.
So, who will NC State hire to fill Wade’s shoes? The oddsmakers at BetOnline.ag have former player and current Tennessee head assistant, Justin Gainey, as the favorite.
Pictured above: Justin Gainey
Kevin Sweeney of SI.com offered his take:
Gainey is from the state, played point guard for NC State and spent time on staff there at one point in his career before eventually becoming Rick Barnes’s top lieutenant in Knoxville, Tenn. He was a candidate for this job the last time around and is clearly ready for his own program. Whether he can get a job of this caliber straight from the assistant ranks is the question.
Sweeney has Josh Schertz of Saint Louis his top choice:
Schertz has entertained a handful of jobs this cycle before eventually signing a massive contract extension at Saint Louis. Would this one be good enough for him to pull the trigger? If so, it’s a name NC State should strongly consider. Schertz runs a sharp offense and has proven to be a gifted roster-builder. His personality would resonate well with NC State fans, matching the type of enthusiasm and energy Wade brought.
Schertz isn't even listed among the odds at BetOnline.
That sportsbook also included below the latest UNC odds where Billy Donovan remains the favorite.
| North Carolina State Next Head Coach | |||
| Justin Gainey | 2/1 | ||
| Travis Steele | 3/1 | ||
| Phil Martelli Jr. | 4/1 | ||
| Takayo Siddle | 5/1 | ||
| Luke Murray | 6/1 | ||
| Archie Miller | 10/1 | ||
| Joe Gallo | 10/1 | ||
| Jay Larranaga | 12/1 | ||
| Mike White | 16/1 | ||
| Richard Pitino | 20/1 | ||
| Chris Carrawell | 25/1 | ||
| Eric Olen | 25/1 | ||
| Kimani Young | 25/1 | ||
| Pat Kelsey | 25/1 | ||
| Bob Richey | 33/1 | ||
| Brad Frederick | 33/1 | ||
| Chris Jans | 33/1 | ||
| Matt Langel | 33/1 | ||
| Dennis Gates | 40/1 | ||
| Herb Sendek | 40/1 | ||
| Kevin Keatts | 40/1 | ||
| Tony Skinn | 40/1 | ||
| Mark Few | 50/1 | ||
| Mike Brey | 50/1 | ||
| Ryan Odom | 50/1 | ||
| Scott Drew | 50/1 | ||
| North Carolina Next Head Coach | |||
| Billy Donovan | 7/4 | (+175) | |
| TJ Otzelberger | 3/1 | ||
| Tommy Lloyd | 3/1 | ||
| Mark Byington | 9/1 | ||
| Nate Oats | 9/1 | ||
| Dusty May | 14/1 | ||
| Mark Few | 16/1 | ||
| Todd Golden | 16/1 | ||
| Sean May | 20/1 | ||
| Scott Drew | 25/1 | ||
| Danny Hurley | 33/1 | ||
| Grant McCasland | 33/1 | ||
| Jay Wright | 33/1 | ||
| Jerry Stackhouse | 33/1 | ||
| Rick Pitino | 33/1 | ||
| Brad Frederick | 50/1 | ||
| Dennis Gates | 50/1 | ||
| Jeff Lebo | 50/1 | ||
| King Rice | 50/1 | ||
| Marcus Paige | 50/1 | ||
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
