Major ACC Coaching News: NC State parts ways with head coach Kevin Keatts

Major ACC coaching news from Raleigh surfaced on Sunday morning.

NC State has elected to part ways with head coach Kevin Keatts. The 52-year-old has served as the Wolfpack's head coach for each of the past eight seasons.

Over his time in Raleigh, Keatts led NC State to a 151-113 record. The Wolfpack made three NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure, including a run to last year's Final Four.

Before the Wolfpack went on what seemed like an impossible run to not only win the ACC Tournament (to clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament) but also their run through the tournament to reach the Final Four, many believed that Keatts was on the hot seat. That run through March Madness saved his job and even earned him a contract extension in March of 2024.

However, this season was a nightmare for NC State, who failed to even make the ACC Tournament, leading the university to make a change at the helm.

Keatts released a statement about his departure from NC State:

This move seemed destined to happen, as it was delayed by the Wolfpack's success late in the season a year ago. Now, NC State looks toward the future, as the new head coach will have his work cut out for him as they look to clean up the mess from this season that Keatts helped guide.

We certainly are going to miss Kevin Keatts standing on the middle of the court in a defensive stance while the UNC basketball program runs their offensive sets. That six to five advantage certainly was an interesting aspect that Keatts brought to the table.