Former NC State football coach Dave Doeren speaks following midseason dismissal

Former North Carolina State head football coach Dave Doeren spoke publicly to reporters on Tuesday following his dismissal over the weekend, according to Yahoo Sports Top, CBS 17, and the Raleigh News & Observer. As FTMQ Sports reported earlier, North Carolina State University dismissed Doeren on Saturday after the team started the 2026 season with a 3-4 record, following a 31-28 loss to Stanford. [2][6][11][12][17][18]

Doeren stated to reporters on Tuesday that institutional commitment and resources need to match the expectations of the program for his successor, according to Yahoo Sports Top. He also expressed disappointment regarding his departure, noting that it was not how he wanted to go out while citing challenges related to the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) issues. [2][3][4]

Doeren added that he will always be cheering for the Wolfpack, as reported by The Washington Post, Yahoo Sports Top, WRAL, and the Raleigh News & Observer. Following his departure, NC State's interim coach and team players discussed the transition and the challenges ahead for the remainder of the season, according to Yahoo Sports Top. [1][2][7][9][12]

Doeren served as the head coach at NC State from 2013 to 2026, leading the Wolfpack team that plays its home games at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. He previously held head coaching duties at Northern Illinois University from 2011 to 2012 and worked as defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin. [13][14][16]