Nc State Wolfpack Men's Basketball Kj Keatts
NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team has seen a surge of success since Kevin Keatts, also known as KJ, became the head coach in March 2017. The former coach of UNC Wilmington Seahawks brought his winning habits to the Wolfpacks and turned them into a competitive and entertaining team that plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Early Years of KJ Keatts
KJ Keatts grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia where he played basketball in high school. He then attended Ferrum College and was a standout player for four years. After college, he started his coaching career as an assistant coach at New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina.
KJ Keatts worked his way up from being an assistant coach and became the head coach of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. He led the team to a 99-8 record over three seasons and won three consecutive national prep championships, which helped him earn the position of assistant coach at the University of Louisville in 2013.
Turning the UNC Wilmington Seahawks into Champions
KJ Keatts became the head coach at UNC Wilmington in 2014, and he turned the Seahawks into a winning team almost immediately. In his first year, the team went 18-14 and finished second in the conference's regular season standings. The following year, the team won the conference tournament, and Keatts led them to the NCAA tournament where they lost against the Duke Blue Devils.
In his third year, Keatts led the Seahawks to another conference title and an NCAA tournament appearance. The team defeated Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in the first round, which was the program's first-ever NCAA tournament win.
Success at NC State Wolfpack Men's Basketball
When KJ Keatts was hired by NC State Wolfpack Men's Basketball in 2017, he was tasked with rebuilding a program that had been struggling in the previous years. In his first year, the team went 21-12 and reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years. In the second round of the tournament, they lost against Seton Hall in a close game where Keatts showcased his coaching skills.
The following year, Keatts led the Wolfpacks to a 24-12 record and another NCAA tournament appearance. The team defeated Hofstra and Lipscomb in the first two rounds but fell to the Auburn Tigers in the Sweet Sixteen.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Keatts continued to lead the Wolfpacks to a 14-11 record in the shortened season. The team finished ninth in the conference standings, but Keatts still managed to develop his players and prepare them for future seasons.
Impact on NC State Wolfpack Men's Basketball
KJ Keatts has had a significant impact on NC State Wolfpack Men's Basketball since becoming the head coach. He has improved the team's overall record and reputation, and he has helped develop players to become better athletes and leaders.
Keatts has also been successful in recruiting top talent, with players like DJ Funderburk and Jericole Hellems becoming key contributors to the team. He has created a team culture that emphasizes hard work, discipline, and accountability, which has led to the team's success in recent years.
Conclusion
KJ Keatts has proven himself to be a successful head coach at NC State Wolfpack Men's Basketball. He has brought his winning habits from his previous coaching experiences and turned the Wolfpacks into a competitive and entertaining team. Keatts has also helped improve the players individually, which has led to the team's overall success.
As long as KJ Keatts remains at NC State Wolfpack Men's Basketball, fans can expect the team to continue making strides towards becoming a championship team. With his coaching skills and player development abilities, Keatts is a valuable asset to the Wolfpacks and a coach to keep an eye on in the future.
