Avent, Doeren Offer Opinions on Justin Gainey Joining NC State
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RALEIGH — NC State football coach Dave Doeren and baseball coach Elliott Avent are considered by many as the elder statesmen for the university's athletics programs, alongside women's basketball coach Wes Moore as well. Justin Gainey was chosen to lead the men's basketball program, earning immediate endorsements from both Doeren and Avent, who attended his introductory presser.
Gainey, an NC State alumnus and former player from 1996 to 2000, dreamed of a return to the Wolfpack for years. A major reason for hiring him to be the next basketball coach was that there was an understanding of what the program meant to people and of its values within Gainey. Now, he'll have the support of some program icons.
Doeren excited about a new member of the Wolfpack
Doeren is in the midst of preparing for his 14th season with NC State, still looking for a breakthrough in the ACC, but as hungry as ever. He brought a level of consistency that the football program never had before, but he also built a culture based on family values, something Gainey will also represent as a State graduate. Doeren sat in the front row of Gainey's press conference, intently watching as the new basketball coach preached similar values to his football program.
"My stance on hiring alumni is very strong," Doeren said after a Thursday spring practice session. "I've hired a lot of them in my time here and I have a lot of them currently on staff. There's a desire they have to win... When it's at your school, it's just a little different."
Despite being from the Midwest, Doeren has fully embraced the North Carolina community during his 14 years in the state. He also champions many of the values that athletic director Boo Corrigan has worked to build the athletic department on. His belief in Gainey reflects that the new basketball coach knows what it means to be part of the Wolfpack.
"For him, being a two-time captain here, this is a homecoming," Doeren said. "It's really cool to have that feeling in that program. I'm really excited for Justin and his family to come home and I know what it's going to mean to them because I've witnessed it. Over 13 years, probably over 10 alumni have come and worked for me and you can feel it. You can feel how important it is to them to get the job done the right way."
Old memories restored for Avent
Now in his 30th season with the Wolfpack, Avent has become the steward for the history of NC State athletics in many ways. Being from North Carolina and briefly attending the university helped him garner a love for the school, something not every coach has. Gainey's return sparked memories of his arrival as the new head coach of the Wolfpack. The pair arrived at NC State within months of each other: Avent took over the Pack 9, and Gainey began his college playing career.
"Justin Gainey has always been one of my favorites. He's just a good person," Avent said. "... When you hear Justin talk, that's who NC State is. That's who we are. Winning is hard, so I wish him the best and I hope he's here for 30 years. I hope he wins two national championships, but more than that, I just hope he has a great time... He's going to represent this program the way that NC State people want it to be represented."
Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.
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