Justin Gainey is "flattered" at the thought of being a candidate for the NC State coaching vacancy, but insisted his focus rests with Tennessee basketball as the Vols head into the postseason.

Justin Gainey could be a candidate to be the next NC State coach after Kevin Keatts was fired Sunday. The Tennessee basketball associate head coach played for the Wolfpack from 1996-2000 and was on staff at NC State from 2006-09.

Exactly 345 days ago, NC State was celebrating its first ACC tournament championship in decades, the precursor to a miraculous Final Four run. That postseason surge earned Kevin Keatts a contract extension and an automatic raise, seemingly setting him up for future success in Raleigh.