The North Carolina State football program is looking for a new head coach. Dave Doeren was fired following a rough start to the 2026 season. Doeren is opening up about what happened at his NC State program, before he was given the boot.
The coach knows his program lost talent to the transfer portal in recent years, and it hurt the Wolfpack.
“We've lost on average four potential NFL players — or NFL players — in each of the last three years. It's sad to say, but that's where football is now. It's in a state of do you have enough NIL to retain and acquire what you need to have a competitive depth chart?” Doeren said, per On3.
Doeren had coached at NC State for more than a decade. After he took over the program in 2013, he posted 10 total winning seasons.
“I love this university, and I leave here knowing that I made it better than I found it — on and off the field. I wanted so badly to win a championship here at NC State, but I will be cheering for this program to get there under its future leadership,” Doeren said, per On3.
North Carolina State is now looking for its next head coach. Some candidates for the job include former Wolfpack star Philip Rivers, who played quarterback at the school. He then went on to a long career in the NFL.
Article Continues Below“Since 2021, Rivers has been coaching high school football in Alabama, including his son Gunner, an SC Next 300 prospect who is committed to NC State for 2027. The father-son combination could appeal to NC State, especially if Rivers, 44, can build a strong staff,” ESPN reported.
This season, North Carolina State is 3-4 overall. The team is also 1-3 in the ACC. NC State next plays California on Saturday.