I am serious. According to StateFansNation, the NC State blog which is probably the most reputable online communinity devoted the Wolfpacks from ACC, Steve Lavin is one of the three finalists- for the NC State gig. Here is StateFanNation's look into Lavin as a serious candidate for their head coaching gig:
Strengths:
* Good national media attention (they love their own)
* Arguably a good recruiter - could possibly bring infusion of athletic talent to NC State
* Could have learned a great deal from ordeal at UCLA (was hired too young)
Weaknesses:
* Strengths are mostly hypothetical
* Was constantly under fire and ultimately dismissed from one of the three best jobs in college basketball (UNC and Kentucky are the others, FYI)
* Some ethical concerns
* Arguably, an inconclusive recruiter - my cat could sell UCLA
* No other program - including bottom feeders like Purdue (a job Lavin really wanted) - has been willing to give Lavin a second chance
* No ties to the ACC, or more broadly, the east coast.
Lavo is now the front page story on NCState's Insider site Pack Pride.
All I can say - Go Lavo Go!