The North Carolina State football program is looking for a new head coach. The Wolfpack fired coach Dave Doeren, following a rough 3-4 start to the season. It appears that a former power 4 head football coach is in the mix to be the next North Carolina State head coach.
Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly is listed as a candidate for the job, per On3. Kelly also coached at Notre Dame, Cincinnati and Central Michigan. His tenure at LSU was marked by disappointment, and he was fired in 2025.
North Carolina State was hoping to compete this season for an ACC championship. The season never clicked to this point, as the team opened the year with a blowout loss to Virginia.
Doeren had been the head coach for the school for more than a decade.
“I want to thank Coach Doeren for his service and contributions to NC State, and for always representing the university with pride,” NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan said in a statement, per ESPN. “I appreciate his leadership during his 14-year tenure and the passion he brought to this role.”
NC State is reportedly also interested in former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers played his college football with the Wolfpack.
Article Continues Below“Rivers would be a fascinating choice given he has no collegiate coaching experience, but after a long career in the NFL, he's been coaching at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope, Alabama, since 2021. His star player at St. Michael is his son, Gunner, a 4-star quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class who just so happens to be committed to NC State,” CBS Sports reported.
Time will tell who North Carolina State hires as the next head coach. The Wolfpack next play California on October 31. NC State is currently just 1-3 in ACC games.