Dooley works out team while rumors heat up that he’s going to leave

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FGCU Athletic Director Ken Kavanagh tells WINK Sports that he hasn’t been contacted by North Carolina State for permission to interview basketball coach Joe Dooley. Kavanagh also said that Dooley coached spring practice at Alico Arena on Tuesday. This as reports from CBS Sports and NBC Sports say Dooley is considering leaving for an assistant coaching job with the Wolfpack.

A former member of the North Carolina State basketball department who still has ties to the program told WINK Sports that North Carolina State is pursuing Dooley. A spot opened up on the N.C. State staff after assistant coach Bobby Lutz was reassigned within the athletic department.

Dooley took a pay cut to leave his assistant coaching job at Kansas to take over the FGCU program after Andy Enfield left for the head coaching position at USC. An assistant coaching job under Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried would likely mean a pay increase for Dooley who was raised in New Jersey and has coached at schools in North Carolina and South Carolina during his 28 year coaching career.

Kavanagh told WINK Sports he has had multiple discussions with Dooley about his future at FGCU and restructuring his contract to pay him more money has come up.  Dooley has two years left on his five year contract with the Eagles. The News-Press reports that he would have to pay FGCU a $125,000 buyout to leave or $100,000 if he waits until April 22 which is the anniversary of his hiring.

Dooley has a 65-38 record in three seasons at FGCU, he led the Eagles to the NCAA Tournament this past season. N.C. State went 16-17 this past season but the Wolfpack made it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament the year before.

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