Kevin Keatts’ coaching success has been built on the support of his wife, Georgette Keatts.
Highlights
- Georgette and Kevin tied the knot during his tenure at Hargrave Military Academy in the late 1990s.
- The power couple are proud parents to two sons, KJ and Kaden.
- Georgette proudly identifies as “coachkkwife” and actively supports the Wolfpack. She regularly shares team updates and expresses her excitement during games.
Born on July 28, 1972, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Keatts grew up as an only child with a strong work ethic. He often apprenticed with his father, a masonry instructor.
His athletic prowess was evident early on at Heritage High School, where he excelled as a point guard in basketball and a quarterback who led his football team to state prominence.
After playing basketball at Ferrum College, Keatts began coaching at Southwestern Michigan College in 1996.
His career indeed took shape at Hargrave Military Academy, where he compiled an astounding 262-17 record over ten years and coached several future NBA players.
His success caught the attention of Rick Pitino, who brought him to Louisville, where Keatts was part of the 2013 NCAA championship team.
Keatts’ head coaching career began at UNC Wilmington in 2014, where he made an immediate impact, winning CAA Coach of the Year in consecutive seasons—a conference first.
His success led to his appointment as head coach at North Carolina State University in 2017, where he achieved notable victories against ACC rivals.
His coaching career reached its pinnacle in 2024 when he led NC State to an improbable Final Four appearance as a No. 11 seed, becoming only the sixth such seed to reach this milestone.
Georgette Keatts, Kevin Keatts’ Wife, Has Been the Steady Force Behind His Coaching Career
While Kevin Keatts has made headlines on the basketball court, his success has been supported by a strong foundation at home thanks to his wife, Georgette Keatts.
The couple’s relationship began during Kevin’s early coaching days and has weathered a coaching career’s frequent moves and challenges.
Georgette and Kevin tied the knot during his tenure at Hargrave Military Academy in the late 1990s.
As Kevin’s career advanced, Georgette stood firmly by his side, supporting his professional ambitions while maintaining their family unit.
The couple’s journey has taken them across several states, from Virginia to West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and beyond.
Each move represented a career advancement for Kevin and a new beginning for their family.
Georgette has been the stabilizing force through these transitions, making each new house a home.
Georgette and Kevin are proud parents to two sons, KJ and Kaden.
Their eldest son, KJ, has followed in his father’s footsteps, playing as a guard for the NC State Wolfpack men’s basketball team.
This family connection to basketball has strengthened their bond with the NC State community and created a unique father-son dynamic within the program.
When Kevin accepted the head coaching position at NC State in 2017, the family had reservations about leaving Wilmington.
Georgette has embraced her role as the spouse of an NCAA coach with enthusiasm and grace.
On social media, she proudly identifies as “coachkkwife” and actively supports the Wolfpack, regularly sharing team updates and expressing her excitement during games.
Her visible support extends beyond social media. She attends games and participates in university events, embodying the spirit of the Wolfpack community.
Behind closed doors, Kevin humorously refers to Georgette as the “head coach at home,” acknowledging her essential role in managing their family life.
“I’m the assistant coach. I got no pull,” he once joked during an interview with WRAL.
“She runs everything. She’s unbelievable. I don’t know how I could do this job without her.”
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This lighthearted comment reveals Kevin’s deep appreciation for Georgette’s contributions to their family’s success.
Georgette, in turn, sees her role as creating stability amid the often turbulent world of college basketball.
Highlighting her commitment to maintaining a sense of normalcy despite the pressures of Kevin’s high-profile position, she has said,
“My role is to just try to make everything run as smoothly as I can.”
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She helps maintain the balance in their family life, ensuring their sons receive proper guidance and attention despite Kevin’s demanding schedule.
Throughout Kevin’s coaching journey, which has seen triumphant victories and challenging defeats, Georgette has remained a constant source of strength.
Even during the magical 2024 NCAA Tournament run that saw NC State overcome tremendous odds to reach the Final Four, Georgette’s unwavering belief in her husband and his team was evident to all who followed their story.
Even as Kevin faced professional setbacks, including his dismissal from NC State in March 2025 following a disappointing 12-19 season, Georgette’s support has never wavered.
Behind the strategic decisions, recruiting trips, and sideline emotions is a family that shares in the profession’s triumphs and disappointments.
Additional Information
- Before becoming a college basketball coach, Kevin Keatts was an exceptional high school quarterback at Heritage High School. He led his football team to be ranked the best in Virginia and had only one loss during his entire playing career.
- Keatts completed his college degree relatively late in his coaching journey. He earned his degree from Marshall University in 2011 after establishing himself as a successful high school coach.
- In his first season as NC State’s head coach, Keatts accomplished something historically significant by becoming the first Wolfpack coach since Tal Stafford in the 1918-19 season to defeat all three major in-state ACC rivals (Duke, North Carolina, and Wake Forest) in his first attempts against each program.
