Dave Doeren is the winningest head coach in NC State football history. Since Doeren took over in 2013, the Wolfpack have had winning seasons in all but two campaigns. Over the last four seasons, Doeren and the Wolfpack have been knocking on the door of their first double-digit win season since 2002.
Doeren believes his program is ready to take that next step and play for ACC titles.
So, what are the three big takeaways from Doeren’s Big Ten Media Day?
What Did Dave Doeren Say at ACC Media Days?
The Focus Now is on Championships
NC State hasn’t won an ACC title since 1979, when it was led by head coach Bo Rein. Coming off a third-place finish, it’s clear that Doeren and his squad have their sights set on winning an ACC championship.
Doeren was asked what he meant when he told his team they needed to be “different.”
“We’re one of five programs over the last four years that have won eight or more games in college football,” Doeren said. “We’ve sustained a level of competitive greatness that not many people have been able to do.”
He continued on precisely what “being different” entails. “With that being said, we want to win a championship. So different is that. It’s taking the program from the second most wins since 2020 to winning the league. That is different,” answered Doeren.
Doeren didn’t downplay the Wolfpack program’s recent success but acknowledged that his players aren’t satisfied and now expect more.
“What we did last year and the year before, and the year before is good. Winning nine games is good. We don’t want to be good; we want to be the best at what we do. These guys understand that.”
NC State Approaches the Transfer Portal Like an NFL Organization
The Wolfpack had an excellent year in the portal before the 2024 season. They had a few areas where they had vital needs, and they addressed those in a big way.
CFN’s Executive Editor, Cam Mellor, ranked NC State as the ninth-best transfer portal class in the country.
Doeren brought in Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolina, a gunslinger with extensive experience who enters as one of the most accurate passers in the country.
Doeren also surrounds McCall with some offensive weapons via the portal as they signed former Uconn tight end Justin Joly, former Ohio State wide receiver Noah Rogers, and running back Jordan Waters from Duke.
When asked how they evaluate players in the portal, Doeren explained that his staff uses the same approach that NFL teams would use for free agency.
“For us, it’s assessing your roster. It’s never-ending, changes weekly on kind of where you’re at based on the health of what’s going on, who’s coming back, where you think you need to be better”, Doeren explained.
“(We) Came up with a plan based on the NFL model on how they assess, evaluate. Once players are deemed players they would want on their rosters, how do they go about the process. Then integrating that into our program,” said Doeren.
He talked about two of his biggest portal signings, how important it was for Waters and McCall to be from the state of North Carolina, and how the Wolfpack value that and can use that to their advantage in recruiting.
“(We) have a great recruiting staff. It was regionally based,” Doeren said. “You look at Jordan and Grayson, two guys that chose to move on from their schools. They were guys that are in-state players to us, guys I knew would have personal value in staying home and doing something with the team that has the largest alumni base in the state.”
Doeren is Focused on Improving the Running Game
In 2023, NC State finished ranked 10 out of 14 teams in the ACC in total rushing, averaging just over 150 rushing yards per game. Coming into 2024, it’s something that the Wolfpack is focused on improving.
Doeren commented on how much Duke transfer Jordan Waters can help improve the run game for the Wolfpack.
“Jordan is going to help us in the run game, for sure,” Doeren explained. “There’s no doubt being balanced on offense is something that you know I like. At the same time, we’re going to play to our strengths.”
Doeren continued to explain how Waters brings depth and experience to the running back room, improving overall quality.
“I feel good about not just Jordan but the running back room in general,” Doeren said. “It’s a great room. There’s good leadership, but there’s depth. There’s competition and the guys are working hard. Jordan has done a really nice job showing them what it looks like coming back from the season he had last year. You have young guys below him.”
In 2023, Waters was a crucial cog in the Duke rushing attack. He logged 153 carries for 819 yards and 12 scores on the ground.
If transfers McCall, Waters, Rogers, and Jolly impact the offensive side of the ball like many believe they can, there is a real chance NC State is one of the most prolific offenses in the ACC in 2024.
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