NC State has fired head football coach Dave Doeren after 14 seasons, ending the tenure of the program’s all-time winningest coach, the university announced Saturday. Todd Goebbel will serve as interim head coach, according to the university.
Doeren’s Dismissal and NC State’s Statement
Athletic director Boo Corrigan thanked Doeren for his service and contributions, stating, “I appreciate his leadership during his 14-year tenure and the passion he brought to this role. We wish Dave, Sara and his family the best in the future,” as reported by ABC11.” Doeren compiled a 98-73 record during his tenure, which began in 2013.
One early name that has come up with industry sources: Former NC State great Philip Rivers. The successful Alabama HS coach interviewed for the Buffalo Bills HC job in January and has a son committed to the Wolfpack. pic.twitter.com/xBf4assV0Y
Doeren was under contract through December 2029. His buyout could reach $9.75 million as per Rodd Baxley of The Fayetteville Observer, if dismissed without cause before January 1.
Potential Coaching Replacements
Several names have emerged as potential candidates to replace Doeren. Rivers played for the Wolfpack from 2000 to 2003 and was the fourth pick in the 2004 NFL draft. He coached high-school football in Alabama since 2021. Via Pete Thamel of ESPN, Rivers is expected to be in the mix
for the head-coaching job at NC State.
NEWS: NC State has fired coach Dave Doeren. The firing comes in the wake of a loss at Stanford on Friday night.
The Recent Struggles Under Doeren
The decision to fire Doeren followed a pattern of struggles, particularly against Power Four opponents. NC State recorded just nine victories against Power Four opponents under its former coach. The Wolfpack had 10 winning seasons and made 10 bowl appearances under Doeren. The Wolfpack have never contended for an ACC championship and have achieved 10 wins in a season only once in their history.
Corrigan’s Past Stance and the Timing of the Change
The timing of the dismissal is notable given Athletic Director Boo Corrigan’s previous comments against mid-season coaching changes. Corrigan had expressed opposition to midseason coaching firings in the past. Over 14 years, Doeren secured only nine wins against Power Four opponents, with the Wolfpack experiencing losses by 41, 34, 29, 26, 24 (twice), 19, 12, and 10 points during that period.
It starts with me,
Doeren said after the loss to Stanford, as quoted by ABC11. The guys didn’t play well enough, which means I didn’t have them ready.
Doeren had appeared frustrated with reporters’ post-game questions in the past, reminding them: “By the way, we won that football game.”
Doeren departs as the second-most tenured head coach in the ACC, trailing Dabo Swinney, and ranks fourth in tenure among FBS head coaches. He was fourth-longest-tenured coach in FBS and second in the ACC behind Clemson’s Dabo Swinney when he entered this year. NC State’s last ACC crown came in 1979.
Reaction and Context
NC State’s move to part ways with Doeren leaves two Power Four teams without a permanent head coach, alongside the Maryland Terrapins, who recently fired Mike Locksley. The Wolfpack will begin a national search for its next head coach immediately, with Todd Goebbel serving as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Goebbel has been on the Wolfpack staff since 2019.
Philip Rivers’ candidacy for the NC State job is considered a long shot, mainly due to his lack of college football coaching experience. However, Rivers has coached high school football. His son, Gunner, is committed to play at NC State in 2027.
Philip Rivers has withdrawn from the #Bills’ coaching search, as @DMRussini reported. NFL head coaching might very well be in his future, just not right now. Sounds like he enjoyed the process with Buffalo but now isn’t the right time for him and his family. pic.twitter.com/9zgNk5IuZh
Rivers interviewed for the Buffalo Bills’ head-coaching job in January. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Rivers enjoyed the process with Buffalo but noted the former NFL player and his family felt it isn’t the right time
for him to take on an NFL coaching job.
Dan Mullen has insisted he’s happy at UNLV.
Breaking: North Carolina State has fired head football coach Dave Doeren https://t.co/tqUGl9hXTL
Lance Taylor, Western Michigan’s coach, has worked all over the country and for some of the best coaches in the sport and seems tailor-made for this kind of opening at the power-conference level.
More on NC State
Wrote earlier this week that Philip Rivers is a name to watch if NC State came open. Well, it's open now. More candidates in Raleigh. https://t.co/DAg8dgt29Z
NEWS: NC State has fired coach Dave Doeren. The firing comes in the wake of a loss at Stanford on Friday night. He went 98-74 over his 14 seasons there. NC State is 3-4 and 1-3 in ACC after the Stanford loss. pic.twitter.com/8K4Ej1qXgZ
NC State also fired GM Andy Vaughn after the loss at Stanford, https://t.co/0aAH6zmyNQ has learned. @KateRogersonTV first.More here: https://t.co/HhUTnx4DfS pic.twitter.com/VaMHGesJo9
NC State's Dave Doeren was the ACC's second-longest tenured active coach. But he was fired seven games into his 14th season in Raleigh.What went wrong? A turbulent 2026 season was just a part of the bigger picture that wasn't trending well.More here: https://t.co/W0imoqX2rD pic.twitter.com/xlVDBU0fi8
BREAKING: NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren has been Fired.Boo Corrigan has made this announcement following the 31-28 Loss at Stanford on Friday Evening.After 14 Seasons of Doeren at the helm, the NC State Wolfpack will look in a new direction for 2027 and beyond. pic.twitter.com/pLfEKgRD4N
BREAKING: NC State has fired head coach Dave Doeren after 14 seasons with the program. Doeren finishes his tenure at NC State with a 98-74 overall record in Raleigh.Todd Goebbel will take over as the interim head coach.✍️: https://t.co/UDHEqm7akE pic.twitter.com/kk7QrPBkXt