Luke Perrin
Luke Perrin
On Friday, a series of events occurred in such a rapid succession, with the final decision being made that UNC-Wilmington men’s basketball head coach Kevin Keatts would be hired in the same position for NC State. I walked into the theater to watch “Beauty and the Beast” as I saw a tweet proclaiming that NC State was meeting with him during the day, and left the movie just two hours later to the reports that he had been hired during the span in which I was watching the film.
That was fast, huh?
In the days since the hire, optimism seems to be exuded from one side of the aisle, being that the hiring is a “great fit for both sides” and that Keatts will be able to turn the program around after a lackluster two seasons that resulted in termination of Mark Gottfried’s tenure at the university.
To preface, I have no quarrels with the Keatts hiring, whatsoever. I’ll admittedly say that I don’t know much about him beyond the stats that we’ve been seen flashing on our Twitter feeds involving his record at UNC-Wilmington, and his ability to turn the mid-major around just a couple season removed from being in distress. I’m not here to dismiss Keatts’ value as a coach or his potential for success, but rather to touch upon a problem that exists with many collegiate programs in the nation.
Every hiring shouldn’t be treated with euphoria and complete faith by the fan base, which is an occurrence that happens often. In a column published by The Herald Sun, the writer proclaims that NC State fans should be excited about Keatts’ hiring, due to the fact that Keatts is a proven winner and recruiter, and that the coaching search was conducted in a swift manner.
While the first two critiques may be subjectively true, the latter critique is ill-informed and rushed. 2011’s hiring of Mark Gottfried was a circus in all regards, with the elongated process being caused by failures to get Shaka Smart, the well-assumed favorite for the position. By that regard, it seemed critical for 2017’s coaching search to move at a quick pace, but a quick search shouldn’t be the only element of finding a new coach.
This lends itself into the problem of over expectations, which isn’t something that solely exists at NC State, although historically in the shadow of Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, but nonetheless is prevalent here seemingly on the constant. Preseason hype is too generously given out at this university, and it’s persisted during my tenure here and, as told by many people who have been a member of the Pack before me, has existed much further back, even to the times of Jim Valvano.
We’re a university whose athletic programs seemed to be defined by the ‘83 championship team, with quotes from Jimmy V filling up our social media and constant showings of the “Survive and Advance” documentary inspiring our Wolfpack spirit. While these are nostalgic and personally always bring out a sense of optimism, the constant introspection as to the greatness that once was hasn’t manifested itself into the pragmatic results that we’ve gotten ever since. Mark Gottfried led the Pack to four straight NCAA Tournaments which, even though I agree that it was time for dismissal, wasn’t enough to keep a job for longer than six seasons. Suddenly, we’re expecting success by a new regime, boasting the one intangible asset that Mark Gottfried was praised for more than anything.
Recruiting.
Every single commentary, piece or hot take released this week about Keatts’ hiring has focused around the subject of recruiting, and his ability to do it well. Mark Gottfried, praised for the same intangible asset, pulled in two five-star recruits and a four-star just last season.
Mark Gottfried is unemployed, and Kevin Keatts is going to be making $2 million for six seasons.
The power struggle of fan happiness seems to come from a pendulum swings of the hiring and firing of the team’s leadership. If a coach is doing poorly, fans immediately praise the hiring of someone new, regardless of who that person is and whether the hire is analytically or statistically positive.
In April 2011, Sean Klemm, Technician’s deputy sports editor, praised the hiring of Gottfried before the team stepped foot on the court, even though he said that he was initially skeptical. The very next day, Taylor Barbour, Technician’s sports editor, gave Gottfried his “stamp of approval,” due to perceived tenacity and ability to compete with in-state powerhouses. Just weeks into the tenure, praise was given to Gottfried from Technician for doing “everything right so far.”
The common thread? Expectations.
Kevin Keatts may very well turn out to be a dynamite hire for NC State in both the short term and the long term, but tailoring expectations early on is a must in regards to this hire. Maintaining an aura of skepticism helps on two ends — by making the possibility of failure hurt far less, or having the product of success bring about a greater euphoria. For a fan base that is still relying on a 34-year-old National Championship and a Sweet 16 victory from two years ago to fuel their sense of momentum, mediocrity shouldn’t be the norm, but neither should infinite expectations. You can be devoted to greatness without a blind trust that the greatness will be achieved “this year” or the classic, “always next year.”
That’s using the same logic that South Carolina’s men’s basketball team will win the tournament for seasons to come, after beating Duke on Sunday night and making the Sweet 16. While historically NC State has more basketball pageantry and a storied past than South Carolina, the sentiment remains the same. Preseason expectations being curbed might be crucial for the success of a new coach in the long term. Lest we forget that Bill Belichick’s Patriots went 5-11 and finished in last place during his first season.
NC State men’s basketball is at a crossroads, with six years and several million dollars riding on a mid-major coach from UNC-Wilmington to take us out of the (what seems like an) eternal shadow of UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke. Will Keatts be the man who can finally bring stability and success?
I really, truly hope so.