NC State football took a rough 31-28 loss to struggling Stanford Friday. Which added to an already strange 2026 that featured the Wolfpack's infamous finish against Vanderbilt. But the Stanford loss now costed head coach Dave Doeren his job.
Doeren got fired Saturday nearly 24 hours after the stunning defeat to the Cardinal. College Football insider Nicole Auerbach helped report the move, along with who replaces Doeren.
“Todd Goebbel, NC State running backs coach/special teams coordinator, will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season,” Auerbach posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.
Doeren created a new competitive brand in Raleigh after he took the gig in 2013. His first Wolfpack team went 3-9, but later played in 10 bowl games from there.
Doeren still posted a 4-6 record in postseason contests, though. He'll leave with a 98-74 overall mark there, making him the program's winningest head coach ever. And this is a Wolfpack program that was once led by coaching legends Chuck Amato and the late Lou Holtz.
But despite the wins, Doeren struggled to dominate in the College Football Transfer Portal. Plus had difficulty surpassing the nine-win mark each season.
Article Continues BelowESPN college football insider Pete Thamel revealed what the school will now owe Doeren.
“NC State will owe Doeren nearly $10.3 million, which is subject to offset and mitigation, per his contract. He had three years remaining on his deal,” Thamel said via the social media website X, formerly Twitter.
So now NC State rises as the second Power Four opening during the week of Oct. 19, joining Maryland after firing Mike Locksley.