In a very real way, Dereck Whittenburg’s career has come full circle.
On Monday, the Athletic Department announced that Whittenburg would return to N.C. State as senior assistant to head basketball coach Mark Gottfried and director of player development. It marks his third tour of duty as an assistant coach with the program.
Whittenburg is a basketball legend at N.C. State. His jersey, No. 25, hangs from the rafters of PNC Arena thanks to his contributions playing under former head coach Jim Valvano from 1979 to1983.
Whittenburg is perhaps best known for his mid-court heave in the final seconds of the 1983 NCAA National Championship game. Former Wolfpack great Lorenzo Charles grabbed the pass in midair and laid it in, giving N.C. State its second national championship in school history.
“I’m very excited to return home to North Carolina State,” Whittenburg said in a news release announcing his arrival. “Coach Gottfried and I have a lot in common – we’ve played college basketball at a high level, we’ve both experienced winning a national championship and we’re both passionate about NC State. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Coach Gottfried and his staff. I’m confident knowing that I will be contributing to his continued success.”
After his collegiate playing career with N.C. State, Whittenburg was drafted by the Phoenix Suns. His professional career, and his time away from Raleigh, was short-lived. He returned to the State basketball program in 1985, and from 1988 until 1991 he served as an assistant on Valvano’s staff. Whittenburg went on to serve as an assistant coach for George Mason, Long Beach State, Colorado, West Virginia and Georgia Tech.
In 1999 Whittenburg joined the Wagner basketball program as head coach and led the team to a 67-50 overall record in his four years leading the team. He led the Seahawks to the first round of the NCAA Tournament in his final season there.
Following his four-year stint at Wagner, Whittenburg spent seven seasons as head coach at Fordham, posting a 69-112 record with the Rams.
“We are very excited to have Dereck joining our staff,” head coach Mark Gottfried said. “He brings a wealth of not only experience, but of knowledge and love for N.C. State. He has many strengths as a former head coach, including relating with players and their families. We look forward to having him be a mentor to our players, and having his experience on our staff.”
In addition to his playing career in the NBA, Whittenburg has served as a regional scout for the Utah Jazz.
Whittenburg most recently worked for ESPN serving as a college basketball analyst and producer of the film Survive and Advance, part of the network’s “30-for-30” television series documenting the 1983 team’s unforgettable run to the national championship.
