Mark Gottfried is out of a job and, in some ways, it is easy to see why. The 2016-2017 NC State basketball team has wildly underachieved in posting a 14-13 overall record with a 3-11 mark in ACC play. Given what the roster looks like, highlighted by likely lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr., that type of performance would be enough to get anyone fired.
However, there are reasons to believe that Gottfried should have received a longer leash for the Wolfpack and, as a result, Gary Parrish of CBS uncovered an interesting nugget. Citing a "second-tier candidate" that could be in the mix for the job in theory, the perception at NC State is... bleak.
"I wouldn't touch that job. If making four NCAA Tournaments [in six years] gets you fired midseason [in your sixth year], it's not a good job to take if you already have a good job."
Gottfried and Alabama parted ways in 2009 to open the door for his tenure in Raleigh and that may have provided another issue for the head coach. He probably wasn't the first choice at NC State, and while he posted a 204-122 record over five-plus seasons, it wasn't enough to save Gottfried's job.
It remains bizarre that Gottfried was actually retained to finish out what could be a NIT-worthy club but cracking the code on reaching four NCAA Tournaments in six years wasn't enough to save him. Judging by this season alone, it makes sense that other coaches might have some fear to take the job for the Wolfpack and it will be very interesting to see the type of candidates they are able to lure, even for an interview, as a result.
