Dave Doeren fired by NC State after 14 seasons as coach

Dave Doeren has been fired as the N.C. State football coach, the university announced Saturday.Athletics director Boo Corrigan announced the decision after Doeren and the Wolfpack lost at Stanford. Doeren compiled a 98-74 record with the Wolfpack, including eight or more wins in eight seasons. “I want to thank Coach Doeren for his service and contributions to NC State, and for always representing the university with pride,” Corrigan said in a school-issued statement. “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.” A national search for NC State’s next head coach will begin immediately. N.C. State lost five straight bowl games before ending that streak in 2025 and never competed in a top-tier postseason game. Because Doeren was fired without cause before Jan. 1, Doeren is set to receive $9.75 million for the final three years remaining on his contract.Why was Dave Doeren fired?Doeren led N.C. State to a winning record in 10 of his first 13 seasons, but the Wolfpack never reached double-digit victories during his tenure or competed in Charlotte as part of the ACC championship game. Duke won the 2025 ACC title, with fellow Tobacco Road rivals North Carolina (2015) and Wake Forest (2021) also competing for the crown. Doeren had an 8-29 record against ranked opponents and poor end-of-game management, particularly in the final season, contributed to the change. N.C. State had a last-second debacle at Vanderbilt before a blowout loss against Wake Forest and the loss at Stanford.Who will replace Dave Doeren?The Wolfpack has won double-digit games just once in program history, but N.C. State has been among the most consistent programs in the ACC. Still, the fanbase wants a team that can consistently have a chance to compete for ACC titles and top-tier bowl opportunities. Philip Rivers, an N.C. State legend and longtime NFL QB, is by far the most popular name brought up by fans as an option to replace Doeren. Gunner Rivers, Philip’s son, is set to join the Pack in 2027 as a freshman QB. Who is NC State football interim coach?Todd Goebbel, NC State running backs coach/special teams coordinator, will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Goebbel has been on the Wolfpack staff since 2019.Dave Doeren contract details, buyoutDoeren is earning $3.25 million in base salary for the 2026 season and his total compensation for this year is $6.375 million. Doeren’s buyout is nearly $10 million. Because Doeren was fired without cause before Jan. 1, Doeren is set to receive $9.75 million for the final three years remaining on his contract.Dave Doeren recordDoeren leaves N.C. State as the winningest coach in program history, logging more than 100 wins in 14 seasons. The Wolfpack was consistently bowl eligible, but it wasn’t able to consistently beat top teams or breakthrough to an ACC championship game appearance.2013: 3-92014: 8-5 (W, St. Petersburg Bowl)2015: 7-6 (L, Belk Bowl)2016: 7-6 (W, Independence Bowl)2017: 9-4 (W, Sun Bowl)2018: 9-4 (L, Gator Bowl)2019: 4-8 2020: 8-4 (L, Gator Bowl)2021: 9-3 (Bowl eligible but UCLA didn’t play because of COVID-19 pandemic)2022: 8-5 (L, Duke’s Mayo Bowl)2023: 9-4 (L, Pop-Tarts Bowl)2024: 6-7 (L, Military Bowl)2025: 8-5 (W, Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl)2026: 3-4Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Dave Doeren fired by NC State after 14 seasons as coach