 Sendek was hired at NC State in 1996 after three years of success at Miami (Ohio), his first head coaching experience.He immediately improved upon the Les Robinson era, winning 17 games for the program's first winning record in six years.In his first year at NC State, the Wolfpack also finished the year winning eight of 11 games, advanced to the finals of the ACC Tournament, and earned a trip to the postseason in the NIT.