RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina State has given basketball coach Kevin Keatts a new contract through the 2023-24 season.
The school’s board of governors on Friday approved the six-year deal that will pay him $2.7 million per year — an increase of $400,000 from his previous salary.
Keatts originally signed a six-year contract after his hiring in March 2017, and when he led the Wolfpack to the NCAA Tournament last season, it triggered a one-year rollover clause.
“Coach Keatts has made a profound and immediate impact at NC State, and this contract reflects our commitment to his continued leadership,” athletic director Debbie Yow said. “He values the academic success of his student-athletes, recruits at a high level, and runs his program with integrity. We’re excited for the future of NC State men’s basketball under Kevin’s leadership.“
In his first season with the Wolfpack, Keatts took a program preseason picked 12th in the ACC and led them to five wins over ranked opponents and a 11-7 record in the ACC to finish in a tie for third place. The 11 conference wins are the most for a first-year head coach in program history and the third place finish was the highest regular season finish for State in the ACC since the 2003-04 team finished second.
In his second season, Keatts has the Wolfpack off to a 8-1 start with seven of eight victories coming by 15 or more points. State plays Penn State on Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J.
