Winston-Salem, N.C. — NC State currently stands at 14-12 overall and 3-10 in ACC play. The Wolfpack is staring down a second straight losing season and far from the March Madness dreams it hoped for after bringing in one of its most talented classes in years.Is there room for concern in Raleigh over Mark Gottfried as the head coach? Just check NC State Twitter or simply search “Gottfried” or “#FireGott” to find out what fans think.Speaking of Twitter, Athletics Director Debbie Yow addressed Gottfried’s status with a reply to a fan by saying, “To all our faithful fans who follow me on twitter: I will address the season after it ends.” As for Gottfried himself, the embattled coach remains steadfast in his position with the Wolfpack.”Truthfully, I’m not paying attention to any of that,” Gottfried told Matt Norlander of CBS Sports. “I haven’t had any discussions with anyone at NC State about that. I plan on being here for a long time.”The issue here is Yow may be clinging to the past while Pack fans are looking solely at the present. One is great while the other is embarrassingly horrific.In Gottfried’s first four years, he led the Wolfpack to four straight NCAA Tournament bids after previous coach Sidney Lowe fell short every season in Raleigh. NC State also made it to the Sweet 16 twice in those four seasons with two completely different rosters.Years five and six have been the polar opposite. Gottfried was given a long leash last year when Trevor Lacey left early and Terry Henderson was injured in the first game. This year, however, the Pack has underperformed dramatically with the likes of Dennis Smith Jr., Omer Yurtseven and Henderson all healthy.Not to mention, the Pack lost its fifth straight game by 30 points against Wake Forest. It was the Pack’s largest deficit against the Deacons in the 107-year rivalry. In the last three road games since defeating Duke, State has lost by a combined total of 79 points.The next shot for Gottfried to right the ship? Against North Carolina on Wednesday in Raleigh. Yeah, the same team that trounced State by 51 points in Chapel Hill.”There’s no easy way to get out of the hole,” Gottfried said. “It’s going to be difficult because of who we play. That’s just life in the ACC right now.”
