NC State Athletics has taken a significant step towards solidifying its future, as both men’s basketball head coach Mark Gottfried, and women’s basketball head coach Wes Moore have agreed to new contracts through 2020, Director of Athletics Debbie Yow announced on Friday.
“Mark and Wes continue to elevate our basketball programs at NC State,” said Yow. “They are both building championship-level programs and are strong ambassadors for Wolfpack Nation who positively impact the experiences of our student-athletes on their respective squads.”
He is only the third coach in ACC history to lead his team to NCAA appearances in each of his first four seasons in the league.
Through Gottfried’s first four years, the Wolfpack has averaged 23 victories per season after averaging just 16.8 in the 20 years prior. In ACC play, his squads have averaged nearly 10 league victories per season after averaging just 5.9 per year over a two-decade stretch.
Gottfried’s annual compensation will increase from $2.06 million to $2.48 million.
“I would like to thank our AD, Debbie Yow, and Chancellor Woodson for their commitment to me and to the basketball program here at NC State,” said Gottfried. “I appreciate their faith and belief in our staff from the day we arrived in Raleigh. It’s exciting to work with an administration that shares a common vision for the future of Wolfpack basketball, and together, we make a great team.
“This shows the investment and commitment that both NC State and I have made to continue building this program for years to come.”
Moore is entering his third season leading NC State women’s basketball and has led the program to 43 victories in his first two seasons in Raleigh, and a pair of postseason appearances.
In 2014, he was named ACC Coach of the Year by ESPN.com and was one of four finalists for Naismith National Coach of the Year. Moore’s first squad notched 25 victories and earned NC State’s first Top 10 ranking since 2001, after being picked to finish 10th in the ACC.
His teams have won 26 home games over his first two seasons, and last March he reached 600 career victories, just the ninth women’s coach to do so in fewer than 800 games.
Moore will receive an increase in annual compensation from $385,000 to $460,000.
“What a great week! An unbelievable class on signing day, the start of a new season, and now this extension which solidifies our future with NC State,” said Moore. “I appreciate Chancellor Woodson and Debbie Yow’s confidence in me and my staff, as we build something special here in Raleigh. With the new Reynolds Coliseum opening next fall and the unbelievable commitment and support we receive from the University and our great fans, I couldn’t be happier or more excited about the future of Wolfpack Women’s Basketball.”
Both coaches will have opportunities to earn additional years and compensation through demonstrated academic and competitive achievement.
Gottfried and Moore have each significantly elevated NC State’s basketball recruiting results the past few years, with both hoops programs signing nationally-ranked recruiting classes and several ‘blue chip’ recruits. Earlier this week, men’s basketball added the nation’s top point guard for 2016 in Dennis Smith, Jr., while women’s basketball inked three players who comprise the nation’s 12th-ranked class.
Both teams open the 2015-16 season tonight in a double-header at PNC Arena, as the women host Villanova at 5 p.m., while the men match-up against William & Mary at 8 p.m.
