Tennessee basketball takes a tough hit the day after Elite Eight loss that was expected to happen
Tennessee is losing a key part of its coaching staff.
It’s been a rough couple of days for the Tennessee men’s basketball program. Tennessee fell short of reaching the program’s first Final Four for the third straight season, losing to Michigan 95-62 in the Elite Eight. The future of Nate Ament remains up in the air, while Tennessee says goodbye to two impactful seniors in Felix Okpara and Ja’Kobi Gillespie.
But the hits continued on Monday, and it’s one that most people expected. Per CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, NC State is hiring Tennessee assistant coach Justin Gainey as their new head coach, replacing Will Wade, who returned to LSU.
NC State hiring Tennessee assistant coach Justin Gainey to replace Will Wade
This felt like a possible domino to ultimately fall once it became known that LSU and Wade were interested in a reunion. And sure enough, that’s how things ultimately played out for LSU, NC State, and Tennessee.
Gainey is the no-brainer choice for the Wolfpack. He played at NC State from 1996-2000 and is a two-time graduate from the school.
Gainey has been an integral part of Rick Barnes roster since coming to Tennessee from Marquette in 2021. A point guard during his playing days, his mentorship of Tennessee’s point guards as been critical.
But perhaps no contribution has been greater than Gainey’s work on Tennessee’s typically stingy defense. He assumed the role of defensive coordinator for the 2022-23 season, and the Vols have been one of the best defending and most physical teams in the nation.
We’ll see where Tennessee goes from here, but it’s certainly a big hole that Barnes is going to have to fill on his staff this offseason.
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Salt, meet wound.
