N.C. State Hires Mark Gottfried (UPDATED)

Just landed at LaGuardia after five days in Houston. Don’t ever stay in the Crowne Plaza near Reliant Stadium, unless you like bugs and blood stains on the carpet.

To quote Bob Dylan, “I’m goin’ back to New York City. I do believe I’ve had enough.”

Here’s a few quick hits from the Coaching Carousel:

**After swinging and missing on seemingly every high-major coach from here to Texas, N.C. State finally got its man in former Alabama coach Mark Gottfried for five years at $6 million.

“Our search has proceeded in an orderly manner and with excellent results,” said N.C. State AD Deborah A. Yow. “We are blessed to have hired a proven winner and an outstanding coach who is well prepared by experience and total commitment to lead in the rebuilding of Wolfpack men’s basketball.”

During 11 seasons at Alabama, Gottfried went 210-132, making the NCAA Tournament five times. He’s done work with ESPN since resigning during the 2008-09 season. You have to wonder if N.C. State is trying to follow the Steve Lavin model here. Like Lavin, Gottfried was a UCLA assistant and like Lavin he worked at ESPN. Lavin also turned down the Wolfpack gig in 2006.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity and challenge,” said Gottfried, 47. “I have always had great respect for the tradition of excellence here at State and I look forward to helping build this basketball program into a national contender.”

**Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin signed a three-year extension with the Bearcats, according to Bill Koch of the Cincinnati Enquirer. He was one of many candidates reportedly on N.C. State’s wish list.

**LIU coach Jim Ferry was the last to interview today at Manhattan. Sources say a decision is expected Wednesday or Thursday. Steve Masiello, Bob Walsh, Van Macon and Scott Padgett are also in the mix.

**St. John’s assistant Mike Dunlap told The Fresno Bee via email that he is no longer a candidate for the Fresno State job. Ohio State assistant Jeff Boals is reportedly  the leader there.