Kevin Keatts To Remain In Raleigh
Kevin Keatts who is entering his third year in North Carolina’s state capital in 2019-20 after being the head coach at UNC Wilmington got some great news this week.
The NC State Board of Trustees approved Friday an extension for third-year men's basketball head coach Kevin Keatts. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/9/13/nc-state-extends-contract-of-mens-basketball-coach-kevin-keatts.aspx
The extension puts Keatts under contract for seven seasons through the 2025-26 campaign. He originally signed a six-year agreement to become head coach of the Wolfpack in March 2017, and was awarded with a new contract in November of 2018 that carried through the 2023-24 season. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/9/13/nc-state-extends-contract-of-mens-basketball-coach-kevin-keatts.aspx
Kevin Keatts has guided NC State to 45 games wins in his two years at the helm. Including a 20-16 ACC record in his two seasons with the Pack. His winning percentage of 56 percent in conference play is the best for an NC State coach in the first two years of his career since Press Maravich went 19-9 in ACC play from 1964-66. “according to https://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=3330&path=mbball
Keatts' NC State teams have a 33-8 home record in his two years as head coach, including a 12-6 mark in conference play. The Pack has defeated four ranked opponents at home, including two wins over top-10 ranked teams. “according to https://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=3330&path=mbball
In 2018-19, NC State won 24 games, its most wins since the 2012-13 season as the Pack advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT. The Pack defeated eventual Final Four participant Auburn in non-conference play and went 9-9 in the ACC portion of its schedule. “according to https://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=3330&path=mbball
In the 2017-18 season, Keatts took a program that was preseason picked 12th in the ACC and led them to five wins over ranked opponents and a 11-7 record in the ACC to finish in a tie for third place. Overall, the Pack finished the season with a 21-12 record and returned to the NCAA Tournament. “according to https://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=3330&path=mbball
Keatts’ first squad served notice of its penchant for taking down ranked foes in November when the Pack defeated second-ranked Arizona and eventual number one pick in the NBA Draft Deandre Ayton in the opening round of the Battle for Atlantis. NC State entered ACC play with a 10-3 record and faced another second-ranked foe when Duke came to PNC Arena for the Pack’s ACC opener. Like the Arizona game, the Pack took down the highly ranked Blue Devils, pulling away in the second half for a double-digit win. Five days later, the Pack added another win over a ranked opponent as the Pack held off No. 19 Clemson by one point. “according to https://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=3330&path=mbball
At the end of January, NC State secured its third win over a top-10 opponent as the Pack went to Chapel Hill and defeated the Tar Heels in overtime. The Pack’s final win over a ranked opponent came at the end of February when NC State dispatched 25th-ranked and eventual Elite 8 team Florida State by 20 points. “according to https://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=3330&path=mbball
Keatts finished the regular season with 21 wins, tying with legendary coach Everett Case (21-4 in 1946-47) for the most regular season wins by a first year head coach in program history. The Pack’s 11 ACC wins are the most for a first-year head coach in program history and the best ACC record for the team since the 2012-13 season. “according to https://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=3330&path=mbball
The Pack’s tie for third place finish in the ACC is the best regular season finish for the Pack in the ACC since the 2003-04 team finished in second place. “according to https://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=3330&path=mbball