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ACC Basketball: Mark Gottfried will not return to NC State next season

By Blake Cockrum

Feb 11, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried reacts to a call in the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried reacts to a call in the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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NC State head coach Mark Gottfried will not return next season

On Thursday afternoon, North Carolina State athletic Director Debbie Yow announced that men’s head basketball coach Mark Gottfried would not return next season.

“Mark and I met today to discuss the future direction of our program,” Yow said in a release. “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. Our focus now remains on supporting our student-athletes and staff over the final weeks of our season.”

Feb 15, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried reacts on the sidelines against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 73-53. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried reacts on the sidelines against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 73-53. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Yow hired Gottfried in 2011 and hoped that he would be able to get the program back on track as one of the top teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

However, it simply hasn’t worked out that way.

In his first four seasons at the helm, Gottfried’s team earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet 16 on two occasions. The Wolfpack had no less than 22 wins in each of the four seasons and finished tied for fourth-place in the ACC twice.

Last season, though, the Wolfpack compiled a record of 16-17. They finished 13th in the ACC with a record of just 5-13.

And after a slow start to the 2016-17 season, including six consecutive losses and three by 20 or more points, the Wolfpack have decided to move on from Gottfried.

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

It’s worth noting that his firing came just hours after arch-rival North Carolina beat the Wolfpack by 24 points at PNC Arena in Raleigh. The Tar Heels also won the annual matchup in Chapel Hill…by 51 points.

Roy Williams has an overall record of 27-3 against North Carolina State as the UNC head coach and a 10-2 record against Gottfried.

The news was first reported by ESPN Insider Jeff Goodman.

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