While many fans had to ‘google’ Mark Gottfried’s name just to find out who the former Alabama coach was, Wolfpack players seemed nothing but optimistic about their new coach following Tuesday’s press conference.
With VCU’s Shaka Smart declining an offer made by State on Monday and the pool of possible coaching candidates quickly dwindling, Gottfried’s hire came off as a quick decision, but the right one according to junior Scott Wood.
“She pulled the trigger kind of quick, but we trust her, and we feel that she made the right decision,” Wood said.
The hiring of the Crestline, Ohio native ended a three-week coaching search, one sophomore Lorenzo Brown said he was glad to see come to an end.
“I’m just glad this whole thing is over with,” Brown said. “I was tired of all of the talk, and I’m glad that it’s somebody I know. I knew [Gottfried] at Alabama, so I know he’s a good coach. He wants to win, like we all want to do.”
Along with Brown, Gottfried already has somewhat of a relationship with many of the Pack’s current players, dating back to when he was on the recruiting trail at Alabama. The new Wolfpack coach jokingly said he might still be coaching at his alma mater if he had landed some of them.
“There are a number of those guys that I did recruit and did not get,” Gottfried said. “So maybe if I got them I would still be coaching at Alabama. So I do know some of the players and I know their games.”
Anytime a new coach is hired, the next step is to get acquainted with returning players and ensure them that the program is going in the right direction. After all, the main factor in a student-athlete’s decision to attend a certain school is the head coach.
Retaining players will prove vital if Gottfried is to have any success in his first season in Raleigh and something he acknowledged in Tuesday’s press conference.
“They are important to me. These guys made a decision to come to this school, participate here and made a great commitment,” Gottfried said. “I want all of them to stay and be a part of this program.
“But at the same time, we will sit down and see where they are and do what’s best for them.”
While Brown adamantly said he was returning, there is still speculation of whether or not the Pack will lose a player or two – namely sophomores Ryan Harrow and C.J. Leslie –via transfer or the NBA Draft.
Harrow said he was excited to be a part of Sidney Lowe’s highly touted recruiting class last season and enjoys playing for the Pack, but admitted that he still must weigh his decisions and decide what is best for him.
“When I first came here, I was excited to play with Lorenzo Brown, because he’s my god brother, and I’ve known him for so long. I’ve known C.J. [Leslie] for a little while now too,” Harrow said. “But, at the end of the day, you have to think about what’s best for you and what’s the best option for you in the long run.”
As for the two recruits already signed to play for State next year – four-star center Joseph Uchebo and three-star forward Tyler Harris – Gottfried said he will make an effort to reach out to them as soon as possible and try to keep them part of the Wolfpack.
“What I want to do with those players who have signed or made a commitment to sign is get on the phone as quickly as possible and get to know them and their families and see how they feel,” Gottfried said.
Overall, players’ reactions were nothing but positive regarding the hiring of Gottfried and they are excited to form a relationship with their new head coach in the coming days.
Athletics Director Debbie Yow used the word ‘rebuild’ to describe the process of restoring the program in her statement issued to Wolfpack fans on Monday. But if all players return, Wood thinks the team can instantly be competitive considering the amount of talent on the roster, coupled with Gottfried’s coaching background.
“Debbie Yow put in the e-mail that we might have to rebuild, but I don’t think we necessarily have to,” Wood said. “We have the talent here, and now we have the coach. We just have to put it all into action.”
