Its a decent hire, not sure who they could realistically get but it makes you wonder why they fired Gottfried
Because they're NC State and they're delusional. Quick recent NCSU history:
Herb Sendek was there from 1996-2006 & started off with four straight NIT appearances, then missed the tournament...
and they didn't fire him...then he goes to the NCAA Tournament the next five straight seasons but only advanced to the Sweet 16 once. During that time he finished 3rd, 4th, 2nd, 6th & 4th in the ACC. The fan base wanted better and Sendek basically said F-U and took another job.
After an amateur hour coaching search they basically had no choice but to offer the job to alum...and member of the 1983 championship team...Sidney Lowe. He had spent his entire coaching career as an assistant or head coach in the NBA (sound familiar).
In five seasons with Lowe they missed the post season completely three years and went to the NIT twice.
After another amateur hour coach search they hired Gottfried. He takes them to the NCAA Tournament his first season there and advanced to the sweet 16. He then gets them into the tournament the next three years advancing to the sweet 16 once. He followed that up with two losing seasons. His best finish in the ACC was T-4th.
So after five years of no tournament appearances, they announce during the season they're firing the guy who had taken them to the tournament in four of his six years. Why? Because they're NCSU and they have history, they've won two national championships (1974 & 1983) blah, blah, blah.
I guarantee you they thought they'd get Archie Miller because he is an alum but he was too smart to take that job.