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Kevin Keatts?

Rosegreen1

Rosegreen1

UNLV Hall of Fame
Dec 2, 2023
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Per X/Grok:

Fit with UNLV
- Pros:
- Turnaround Ability: Keatts has revived programs before. UNLV isn’t broken but needs a jolt—his 18-14 debut at UNCW and 21-12 first year at NC State show he can deliver fast.
- Style Match: His fast-paced, pressure-heavy game could thrive in the Mountain West, where teams like San Diego State and Utah State dominate with physicality, but others are vulnerable to speed. It’s also a fan-friendly brand for Vegas.
- Recruiting Edge: Keatts’ Hargrave and Louisville connections could tap West Coast talent, critical for UNLV to compete with Pac-12 and Big West schools. His NC State rosters often featured transfers and under-the-radar gems (e.g., DJ Burns Jr.), a skill vital in the portal era.
- Personality: Posts on X suggest Keatts’ energetic persona could vibe with Vegas’ bold culture, potentially making him a long-term fit (he’s reportedly said he wants a 10-15-year gig).

- Cons:
- ACC Struggles: A 69-84 ACC record (.451) raises questions about his consistency against top-tier competition. The Mountain West isn’t the ACC, but UNLV will face NCAA hopefuls like New Mexico and Boise State regularly.
- Recent Collapse: The 12-19 season at NC State in 2024-25, post-Final Four, exposed roster management issues (losing key players, poor portal hauls). UNLV can’t afford similar regression with its impatient fanbase.
- Big Stage Pressure: NC State’s higher expectations and resources didn’t always yield results—UNLV’s spotlight, while less intense than the ACC, still demands wins. His 3-5 NCAA record (all losses in the first or second round except 2024) might worry Rebel fans expecting deep runs.

Compared to NC State
NC State was a tougher gig—ACC bluebloods like Duke and UNC, plus NCAA sanctions from the Gottfried era, made sustained success elusive. UNLV offers a lower bar for league dominance (Mountain West vs. ACC) but a higher bar for NCAA relevance given its history. Keatts’ peak at NC State (2024) outshines anything Kruger did at UNLV, suggesting he could elevate the Rebels beyond their recent ceiling. However, NC State’s deeper pockets and tradition gave him more to work with; UNLV’s NIL and recruiting infrastructure lag behind, which could test his adaptability.

Verdict
Keatts could be better suited for UNLV if he leverages his strengths—quick turnarounds, recruiting savvy, and a flashy style—to ignite the program. The Mountain West is more forgiving than the ACC, and Vegas’ vibe aligns with his energy. But his NC State tenure shows cracks: inconsistency, roster instability, and a shaky 2024-25 suggest he’s not a slam dunk. He’d need to nail the portal and local recruiting (e.g., Vegas AAU pipelines) to succeed where Kruger didn’t. Compared to NC State, UNLV offers a fresh start with less entrenched competition but a fanbase just as hungry for glory. It’s a gamble—fitting for Vegas—but one that could pay off if Keatts recaptures his early-career magic.
 
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Further, his buyout at North Carolina was 7.8 million. It will be paid out for the remainder of his contracted term (until 2030). Meaning he’s getting 7.8 million until 2030 in payments. Whatever he makes in his next coaching contract, it will offset the buyout, not negate the entire deal.

This could be beneficial for UNLV, if Harper like experienced coaches that have been to the highest of highs at the power conferences etc. UNLV can pay him 500k annually and North Carolina State would still be on the hook for the other million plus until 2030.

Additionally, given that Keatts would be on a friendly deal, it would likely open up more possibilities on the NIL front. Already a million in the NIL for next season with the tournament and you can add a lot more with previous years budgets and Keatts charisma to cajole the donors to giving more.

To me, the more I look at it. The more it makes sense given he comes from the Pitino tree and he fits Vegas and has the resume (final four).
 
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Rosegreen1 said:
Further, his buyout at North Carolina was 7.8 million. It will be paid out for the remainder of his contracted term (until 2030). Meaning he’s getting 7.8 million until 2030 in payments. Whatever he makes in his next coaching contract, it will offset the buyout, not negate the entire deal.

This could be beneficial for UNLV, if Harper like experienced coaches that have been to the highest of highs at the power conferences etc. UNLV can pay him 500k annually and North Carolina State would still be on the hook for the other million plus until 2030.

Additionally, given that Keatts would be on a friendly deal, it would likely open up more possibilities on the NIL front. Already a million in the NIL for next season with the tournament and you can add a lot more with previous years budgets and Keatts charisma to cajole the donors to giving more.

To me, the more I look at it. The more it makes sense given he comes from the Pitino tree and he fits Vegas and has the resume (final four).
Click to expand...
Yes, but his record at NC State leaves a lot to be desired. Take the darling Cinderella run away and he's not even worth mentioning
 
Masked_rebel said:
Yeah, even Kennedy at UAB...
Just feels like we need young energetic coach that's on the rise, plays fun basketball, and has charisma...
Click to expand...
That’s sort of DRFs checklist.

Harper seems to prefer experienced coaches that have been competitive at the highest levels. Bucky is young but the question is can he cajole the donors into giving a lot. Can he rally the fans? I don’t know, the casual fan has never heard of Bucky.

Keatts, I can see Harper honing in on. Just makes a lot of sense on a lot of levels. Hiring a coach that’s a year removed from the final four is unheard of, especially at the cost. Already proven and has the charisma.
 
RebelSoldat said:
Yes, but his record at NC State leaves a lot to be desired. Take the darling Cinderella run away and he's not even worth mentioning
Click to expand...
You need a little luck in the dance, no question. Runs like those are special, Keatts got the guys to believe no matter what. We just watched a coach for 4 years and couldn’t convince anyone to believe. I mean, hello? Couldn’t motivate them to play some college in bum**** Canada for an exhibition.

Further, Keatts was Pitinos right hand man and went on to win at NC-Wilmington. Speaking of Pitinos, Richard Pitino was hired by New Mexico despite a bad record at Minnesota and look where they are? Anyone here think that was a bad hire now?

At these (like unlv that experienced highest of highs) programs, you have to have some experience in a pressure cooker. Again, we just witnessed a coach completely blow it in a pressure cooker that is Las Vegas. You can’t fake it until you make it here.

Keatts checks off a lot of boxes, experienced, connected to get a great staff, Xs and Os, high energy ball coach.
 
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Rosegreen1 said:
Per X/Grok:

Fit with UNLV
- Pros:
- Turnaround Ability: Keatts has revived programs before. UNLV isn’t broken but needs a jolt—his 18-14 debut at UNCW and 21-12 first year at NC State show he can deliver fast.
- Style Match: His fast-paced, pressure-heavy game could thrive in the Mountain West, where teams like San Diego State and Utah State dominate with physicality, but others are vulnerable to speed. It’s also a fan-friendly brand for Vegas.
- Recruiting Edge: Keatts’ Hargrave and Louisville connections could tap West Coast talent, critical for UNLV to compete with Pac-12 and Big West schools. His NC State rosters often featured transfers and under-the-radar gems (e.g., DJ Burns Jr.), a skill vital in the portal era.
- Personality: Posts on X suggest Keatts’ energetic persona could vibe with Vegas’ bold culture, potentially making him a long-term fit (he’s reportedly said he wants a 10-15-year gig).

- Cons:
- ACC Struggles: A 69-84 ACC record (.451) raises questions about his consistency against top-tier competition. The Mountain West isn’t the ACC, but UNLV will face NCAA hopefuls like New Mexico and Boise State regularly.
- Recent Collapse: The 12-19 season at NC State in 2024-25, post-Final Four, exposed roster management issues (losing key players, poor portal hauls). UNLV can’t afford similar regression with its impatient fanbase.
- Big Stage Pressure: NC State’s higher expectations and resources didn’t always yield results—UNLV’s spotlight, while less intense than the ACC, still demands wins. His 3-5 NCAA record (all losses in the first or second round except 2024) might worry Rebel fans expecting deep runs.

Compared to NC State
NC State was a tougher gig—ACC bluebloods like Duke and UNC, plus NCAA sanctions from the Gottfried era, made sustained success elusive. UNLV offers a lower bar for league dominance (Mountain West vs. ACC) but a higher bar for NCAA relevance given its history. Keatts’ peak at NC State (2024) outshines anything Kruger did at UNLV, suggesting he could elevate the Rebels beyond their recent ceiling. However, NC State’s deeper pockets and tradition gave him more to work with; UNLV’s NIL and recruiting infrastructure lag behind, which could test his adaptability.

Verdict
Keatts could be better suited for UNLV if he leverages his strengths—quick turnarounds, recruiting savvy, and a flashy style—to ignite the program. The Mountain West is more forgiving than the ACC, and Vegas’ vibe aligns with his energy. But his NC State tenure shows cracks: inconsistency, roster instability, and a shaky 2024-25 suggest he’s not a slam dunk. He’d need to nail the portal and local recruiting (e.g., Vegas AAU pipelines) to succeed where Kruger didn’t. Compared to NC State, UNLV offers a fresh start with less entrenched competition but a fanbase just as hungry for glory. It’s a gamble—fitting for Vegas—but one that could pay off if Keatts recaptures his early-career magic.
Click to expand...
UNLV in the MWC will face New Mexico and Grand Canyon with SDSU and BSU gone!
 
We all have or had our thoughts on this next hire but what’s the chatter saying out there?

Is there any at all or will the hire be out of nowhere like with Odom?

Nobody saw him coming a little over 2 years ago!
 
Rosegreen1 said:
Per X/Grok:

Fit with UNLV
- Pros:
- Turnaround Ability: Keatts has revived programs before. UNLV isn’t broken but needs a jolt—his 18-14 debut at UNCW and 21-12 first year at NC State show he can deliver fast.
- Style Match: His fast-paced, pressure-heavy game could thrive in the Mountain West, where teams like San Diego State and Utah State dominate with physicality, but others are vulnerable to speed. It’s also a fan-friendly brand for Vegas.
- Recruiting Edge: Keatts’ Hargrave and Louisville connections could tap West Coast talent, critical for UNLV to compete with Pac-12 and Big West schools. His NC State rosters often featured transfers and under-the-radar gems (e.g., DJ Burns Jr.), a skill vital in the portal era.
- Personality: Posts on X suggest Keatts’ energetic persona could vibe with Vegas’ bold culture, potentially making him a long-term fit (he’s reportedly said he wants a 10-15-year gig).

- Cons:
- ACC Struggles: A 69-84 ACC record (.451) raises questions about his consistency against top-tier competition. The Mountain West isn’t the ACC, but UNLV will face NCAA hopefuls like New Mexico and Boise State regularly.
- Recent Collapse: The 12-19 season at NC State in 2024-25, post-Final Four, exposed roster management issues (losing key players, poor portal hauls). UNLV can’t afford similar regression with its impatient fanbase.
- Big Stage Pressure: NC State’s higher expectations and resources didn’t always yield results—UNLV’s spotlight, while less intense than the ACC, still demands wins. His 3-5 NCAA record (all losses in the first or second round except 2024) might worry Rebel fans expecting deep runs.

Compared to NC State
NC State was a tougher gig—ACC bluebloods like Duke and UNC, plus NCAA sanctions from the Gottfried era, made sustained success elusive. UNLV offers a lower bar for league dominance (Mountain West vs. ACC) but a higher bar for NCAA relevance given its history. Keatts’ peak at NC State (2024) outshines anything Kruger did at UNLV, suggesting he could elevate the Rebels beyond their recent ceiling. However, NC State’s deeper pockets and tradition gave him more to work with; UNLV’s NIL and recruiting infrastructure lag behind, which could test his adaptability.

Verdict
Keatts could be better suited for UNLV if he leverages his strengths—quick turnarounds, recruiting savvy, and a flashy style—to ignite the program. The Mountain West is more forgiving than the ACC, and Vegas’ vibe aligns with his energy. But his NC State tenure shows cracks: inconsistency, roster instability, and a shaky 2024-25 suggest he’s not a slam dunk. He’d need to nail the portal and local recruiting (e.g., Vegas AAU pipelines) to succeed where Kruger didn’t. Compared to NC State, UNLV offers a fresh start with less entrenched competition but a fanbase just as hungry for glory. It’s a gamble—fitting for Vegas—but one that could pay off if Keatts recaptures his early-career magic.
Click to expand...
Nice info!
 
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He would be on my C list I would rather have Crean in terms of vet coaches but it wouldn't be awful. NC St has never had sustained success even under Valvano so his limited success isn't hugely concerning, but it is enough of an issue that he would be down on my list. I would have him higher than Turner (my F list) and many others though.
 
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Boston Rebel 2 said:
He would be on my C list I would rather have Crean in terms of vet coaches but it wouldn't be awful. NC St has never had sustained success even under Valvano so his limited success isn't hugely concerning, but it is enough of an issue that he would be down on my list. I would have him higher than Turner (my F list) and many others though.
Click to expand...
F list! Lol
 
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There are so many better option's... let's stop limiting ourselves with a mediocre former P4 coach because he had a miracle run through the tournament last year.
 
Last edited:
85% chance that the new coach will be unproven at our level or failed at a higher level. They will have warts. That is how it is going to be.
Keatts isn't the worst option that there are some things that are going for them. NC State is a tough job and he was handcuffed some with violations from the previous regime. And I don't like blame coaches for reaching final fours.

He does fit the mold of Harper, though maybe not quite the consistent success that you would typically hope for.

I don't hate it, but don't love it either.
 
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Meister_Rebel said:
Take a break and read this article. It's not a bad read.

Click to expand...
Not bad.

THough in general I agree a splashy hire would potentially get more fans in early, I still beleive most of the former fans are gone for good. UNless it is super splashy like Wright, Bennett, or Marshall, but those seem extemely unlikely.

And Odom didn't get immediate support, in fact it took a while for fans to really buy in. So that part is straight up wrong. But Odom was not a splashy hire. He had a really good resume, but he was not a known name.

In fact Odom was substance over style in almost everything he did. Sure football is a bit different, but still
 
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You don’t need to spend with Keatts, he’s already taken care of via NCST. Money would need to be spent on a top notch staff for recruiting/development as well as NIL. Keatts is well connected and his style of play and charisma fits in well with Las Vegas.

Carlin Hartman is very similar to Keatts but without the experience of being the head man. I truly think Harper is going to land someone that’s won championships (he’s said so in his fired Kruger statement) and has a lot of experience.


I think another name to watch is Bryce Drew.
 
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Rosegreen1 said:
You don’t need to spend with Keatts, he’s already taken care of via NCST. Money would need to be spent on a top notch staff for recruiting/development as well as NIL. Keatts is well connected and his style of play and charisma fits in well with Las Vegas.

Carlin Hartman is very similar to Keatts but without the experience of being the head man. I truly think Harper is going to land someone that’s won championships (he’s said so in his fired Kruger statement) and has a lot of experience.


I think another name to watch is Bryce Drew.
Click to expand...
I loved the idea of Bryce Drew after the marvelous one was fired, but he’s making $1.3 million a year at GC right now and Kruger was only making $600k a year if I’m not mistaken.
 
Rosegreen1 said:
You don’t need to spend with Keatts, he’s already taken care of via NCST. Money would need to be spent on a top notch staff for recruiting/development as well as NIL. Keatts is well connected and his style of play and charisma fits in well with Las Vegas.

Carlin Hartman is very similar to Keatts but without the experience of being the head man. I truly think Harper is going to land someone that’s won championships (he’s said so in his fired Kruger statement) and has a lot of experience.


I think another name to watch is Bryce Drew.
Click to expand...
I would like Drew, but someone said he has a huge buyout I think $6MM.
 
dcut03 said:
Not bad.

THough in general I agree a splashy hire would potentially get more fans in early, I still beleive most of the former fans are gone for good. UNless it is super splashy like Wright, Bennett, or Marshall, but those seem extemely unlikely.

And Odom didn't get immediate support, in fact it took a while for fans to really buy in. So that part is straight up wrong. But Odom was not a splashy hire. He had a really good resume, but he was not a known name.

In fact Odom was substance over style in almost everything he did. Sure football is a bit different, but still
Click to expand...
I agree Odom wasn’t splashy in that his name was going to put butts in the seats, but I think the hire was universally liked. Although attendance did get a nice bump probably more to just having a new coach in general followed by on field success.
 
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Boston Rebel 2 said:
I agree Odom wasn’t splashy in that his name was going to put butts in the seats, but I think the hire was universally liked. Although attendance did get a nice bump probably more to just having a new coach in general followed by on field success.
Click to expand...
Depends where you are coming from. When UNLV is coming from one of the worst schools in world history and you’re on the heels of Hauck, Sanchez and Arroyo, Odom is a great hire.

When you are coming from Menzies, Otz, KK, Pasternak is a good hire. When you realize we have multi FF’s, it’s a garbage hire.
 
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Boston Rebel 2 said:
I would like Drew, but someone said he has a huge buyout I think $6MM.
Click to expand...
Unlikely but we don’t know since GCU is a private institutions. For comparison, Keatts buyout was 7.8 million and that’s an ACC institution.

I think the bigger question is, why would Drew leave a program that is rolling for one that needs a lot of work. He’s got a ton of support there and they’ll be in the MW soon. So I don’t know if Drew would leave.


But his resume is exactly what Harper is looking for.
 
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rebel5280 said:
GCU enrollment is over 100K, the only school with a larger enrollment in the tournament is Liberty, I had no idea GCU had that large of a student body.

UNLV needs to get online classes! Lol
Click to expand...
GCU should use all its money to build a campus closer to the Grand Canyon....

...just sayin'
 
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