Justin Gainey Update: How’s He Doing So Far At State?

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks with associate head coach Justin Gainey against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 24, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Justin Gainey has been away from State for a while. He played for the Pack, primarily under Herb Sendek, and after playing in Europe for a few years, began his coaching career.

He’s coached at Appalachian State, under Sendek at Santa Clara, Arizona under Sean Miller, Marquette under Steve Wojciechowski, and most recently, Tennessee under Rick Barnes.

There are two things to learn from that: first, several smart coaches recognized his value, and second, he got a chance to learn from some very accomplished mentors.

So how’s he doing so far back in Raleigh?

Well, he hasn’t coached a game yet, but he’s left a good impression, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.

The first thing he’s doing is building relationships with present and former players, which means that, unlike his predecessor, he is building on trust and loyalty. That’s essential.

Second, he’s making some smart hiring decisions. Most of Wade’s staff is gone with him, but Patrick Stacy was retained.

Stacy is an assistant GM who, as we understand it, among other things, handles analytics. He’s clearly made a big impression on Gainey.

Staff-wise, he’s hired Alvin Brooks from Kentucky as a recruiter, Matthew Driscoll as his offensive coordinator, Anthony Goins from Georgia, who also has solid offensive chops, Riley Collins from Tennessee, where he was the assistant director of player development, and Ognjen Vasiljević from South Alabama, who has great ties to European basketball.