Gainey's N.C. State Deal: $13M, $950K Bonuses

0:00It's April 1, Durham News Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. NC stages drop the contract details for their new men's basketball head coach, Justin Gainey. It's a five-year deal worth just under $13 million signed on Monday and made public right after his intro presser on Wednesday. He'll pull in $2,350,000 in year one, bumping up by $100,000 annually. Earlier this week, athletic director Boo Corrigan hyped Gainey as a 20-year vet who's work with top coaches in nose big time winning. The deal mirrors the old structure from ex-coach Will Wade with a $5 million buyout if Gainey bounces early, dropping a million each year, until it vanishes by 30. Fans and folks are buzzing about the hire, especially since State didn't shell out a buyout to snack him from Tennessee, unlike if they grabbed a sitting head coach. Gainey's base pay sits a bit lower than Wade's $2 million, $500,000, or Kevin Keats's

1:02final $3 million, $300,000, which had bonus boost from their ACC run and final four push. On the incentive side, Gainey can chase up to $950,000 in bonuses for ACC titles, March Madness runs, or even a national, championship worth $500,000. There are also nods for academics, rankings and coach of the year awards, plus parts like courtesy cars, sweet tickets, and football game seats. All this sets Gainey up to rebuild the Wolfpack with solid backing, keeping eyes on that first season grind ahead.