After at least three college basketball coaches have turned down the very available N.C. State Wolfpack job, athletic director Debbie Yow sent a letter to concerned fans and alumni Monday night. The job, vacated by Sidney Lowe almost a month ago, was considered one of the three or four best available at the start of coaching carousel season.
N.C. State Basketball AD Debbie Yow On Coaching Search: ‘The Program Is In Poor Shape’
As the jobs at Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and Arkansas filled up, and even Missouri was able to hire somebody, the Pack remain coachless. Shaka Smart was Monday’s most publicized spurning, but Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall also said no to Raleigh.
While I think N.C. State should just tell Loyola that the small school can use the Wolfpack nickname if it gives up its hoops coach, Yow should be commended for writing a candid letter that explains why a Tobacco Road program with a successful history is having a hard time finding a new coach:
Dear Wolfpack Family,
I am writing to share with you the status of the search for our new head coach for men’s basketball. There have been telephone conversations with successful coaches that did not develop into meetings – sometimes because we did not wish to pursue those coaches further and sometimes because the coach involved is happy where he is.
The conversations have been candid. We have not tried to sugarcoat the challenge of rebuilding our basketball program. Our absence for 5 consecutive years from the NCAA Tournament was noted by each coach as evidence that the program is in poor shape and will require a special effort to rebuild.
Finding a coach with the fight and fire to do this job has been a challenge. That said, we will find an excellent college coach who shares the vision of what State Basketball can become and is up for the challenge.
I realize there are multiple rumors surfacing about the nature of the search on websites and in newspapers. Once our new coach is hired, I will be in a position to bring perspective to a number of those rumors. But, right now, we need to remain focused on finding a talented collegiate coach who is a fighter, full of confidence and appreciation for the opportunity to lead our basketball program back to national prominence.
That will happen in spite of those who believe this cannot occur.
Wolfpack Basketball is destined for a revival. We will accept no less. Please keep the faith while we continue the search. Your emails and text messages of support have meant everything to me. I am blessed to be your AD.
In the Spirit of the Pack,
Debbie
For more on the ongoing search for a new Pack leader, visit Backing The Pack.
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