Wow. North Carolina St fires a head coach today who took them to their first Final Four last year since the 1983 National Championship team.

More evidence spiraling head coaching compensation and NIL are changing the face of expectations in college athletics.

Kevin Keatts out at NC State.

O Solitude! if I must with thee dwell,
Let it not be among the jumbled heap
Of murky buildings; climb with me the steep,
Gym steps in coliseum whence the goal,
Its fan-filled slopes, its winner's crystal bowl,
May seem a span; let me thy vigils keep
'Mongst boughs pavillion'd, where the ballers leap

Big12Fan2024 said:

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Wow. North Carolina St fires a head coach today who took them to their first Final Four last year since the 1983 National Championship team.

More evidence spiraling head coaching compensation and NIL are changing the face of expectations in college athletics.

Kevin Keatts out at NC State.

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I don't think this is that surprising he was getting fired last year until that team took the most improbable run, he has had a pretty terrible run other than that crazy 9 game win streak last season. They looked really bad again this year which has been the norm with him.

I agree with your first part. Prior to last year he was on the hot seat, but it's hard not to call it surprising that he was fired 1 year after going to a Final Four since it has never happened in the history of college basketball. You'd think they would have at least given him one more year, and in years past before the era of high salaries, NIL and high expectations, they probably would have.

Big12Fan2024 said:

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I agree with your first part. Prior to last year he was on the hot seat, but it's hard not to call it surprising that he was fired 1 year after going to a Final Four since it has never happened in the history of college basketball. You'd think they would have at least given him one more year, and in years past before the era of high salaries, NIL and high expectations, they probably would have.

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Maybe but they were really really bad this year, I don't think it's a NIL era thing to say if a fanbase is out on the coach you have to dump him. Their fanbase has clearly been out on him.

But what reputable coach would want to go there now, knowing that you can be canned shortly after taking the program to only its 2nd Final 4 in the last 50 years?

If you make a Final 4, that should at least earn you a 2-3 year reprieve.

The final four and a first round tourney exit are sandwiched in between 11 and 12 win seasons. He exits with a 45% conference winning percentage and 3 tourney appearances with only one going past the 1st round. The ACC is also horrible this year and they went 12-19 (5-15).

Sucks he got canned right after a final four but NCSU has expectations of being a consistent tourney team at least. His seat was scorching before the final 4. It is a Carolina school in a weak ACC. Someone will take that job.