Doeren’s Tenure Comes to an End
The NC State Wolfpack have fired head football coach Dave Doeren, ending his 14-season tenure with the program following a disappointing start to the 2026 campaign. The university announced the decision Saturday, less than 24 hours after NC State suffered a heartbreaking 31-28 road loss to Stanford.
Doeren leaves Raleigh as the winningest head coach in program history, compiling a 98-74 record and leading the Wolfpack to 11 bowl appearances. Despite building a consistent program, he was unable to guide NC State to an ACC championship game or a 10 win season during his tenure.
Athletic director Boo Corrigan announced the move, thanking Doeren for his contributions and the pride he brought to the university. NC State did not announce a specific reason for the firing, but the team’s struggles this season made the decision less surprising.
Disappointing Season Leads to Change
NC State entered the 2026 season hoping to compete for a spot near the top of the ACC standings. However, the Wolfpack struggled to find consistency from the beginning, opening the season with a 34-8 loss to Virginia before suffering a last-second defeat against Vanderbilt.
The team’s problems continued with a 38-14 home loss to Wake Forest. NC State then traveled to Stanford looking to get back on track, but another disappointing defensive performance resulted in a three-point defeat.
The loss dropped the Wolfpack to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in ACC play, leaving the program with significant ground to make up during the second half of the season.
Todd Goebbel Takes Over as Interim Coach
Running backs coach and special teams coordinator Todd Goebbel will serve as NC State’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Goebbel has been part of the Wolfpack coaching staff since 2019 and now faces the challenge of steadying the program during a difficult stretch.
Quarterback CJ Bailey and the rest of the roster will need to adjust to the leadership change quickly, with the team still having games remaining on its schedule.
NC State also announced that a national search for its next head coach would begin immediately. The university now faces an important decision as it attempts to find a leader capable of turning the Wolfpack into a legitimate ACC championship contender.
For Doeren, the move closes a significant chapter in Raleigh. For NC State, the focus shifts toward finding the right coach to take the program to the next level.
