Paul Abell-US PRESSWIRE
Well, that was quick. After his first season as head coach at North Carolina State, winning 24 games, Mark Gottfried is getting a contract extension through the 2018 season. According to ESPN.com’s Andy Katz, his supplemental compensation rises from $450,000 to $1.2 million and his yearly total rises to $1.95 million. This positions Gottfried third in the ACC in guaranteed annual salary.
“I’m very thankful to the board of trustees, chancellor Woodson and Debbie Yow,” said Gottfried in a released statement.
In the ‘win-now’ era of college basketball, it’s no surprise that Gottfried received such a hefty salary increase. The 24-win season ranks second all-time in school history for most wins in a debut season by a head coach. He led NC State to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005. Not to mention, he currently has one of the best recruiting classes coming in for the upcoming season that features three McDonald’s All-Americans.
NC State Athletic Director, Deborah Yow couldn’t be more pleased with the success of Gottfried.
“Coach Gottfried and his family have been a welcome addition to the Wolfpack family,” Yow said in a statement released by the school. ”His competitive and recruiting success has accelerated our vision of excellence in an impressive way.”
Many college basketball gurus feel like NC State is a darkhorse to win the ACC this season. That would be a thrilling revelation for the Wolfpack faithful who haven’t seen the red and white take the ACC crown since 1989. Last season, they finished 9-7 in the conference and lost a nail-bitter to UNC in the ACC Tournament Championship. But, with the additions of McDonald’s All-Americans Rodney Purvis, T.J. Warren and Tyler Lewis to complement returning stars C.J. Leslie, Lorenzo Brown and Scott Wood, the ACC title is well within reach.
“I’m very excited about the future of NC State basketball and being a part of the Wolfpack Nation,” said Gottfried.
