Dave Doeren: ‘I leave here with no grudges’

RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 11: NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren fives the fans after the college football game between the NC State Wolfpack and the Richmond Spiders on September 11, 2026 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Dave Doeren held one last press conference on Tuesday afternoon to share some parting remarks on his time at NC State, and thank a whole bunch of people. He talked multiple times about his love for NC State and this community, how much he’s enjoyed putting roots down in Raleigh, and what living in North Carolina has meant to both he and his family. I love this university. I leave here knowing that I made it better than I found it, on and off the field.I wanted so badly to win a championship here at NC State, but I will be cheering for this program to get there under its future leadership.He’s still processing, understandably—he mentioned it’s been a tough week—but also coming to the realization that he doesn’t have to stress about football all of the time anymore. I have no idea what’s next for me, but I’m excited about my future. I’m excited to reset. I’m excited to spend more time with my family and close friends, travel, golf, and fish.I haven’t traveled in the fall since fourth grade. Fall has always been football. That’s when I started playing, and I’ve never had a vacation or seen anything that didn’t revolve around football. I look forward to that and some downtime with some damn good people.Sara and I will be cheering for NC State forever.I leave here with no grudges. I completely love this place.We want to see this program shock the world. I might be in the mountains sometimes, sitting fishing in a lake, but I’ll always cheer, always cheer, always back the Pack. I promise you that.This community took us in. One of my sons graduated from NC State, and you made us love it here. It was the people. It was the culture. Everything about it.I’ve lived in many places across the country. I’ve traveled across the country recruiting and seen a lot. In my opinion, no state in this great country is like North Carolina. It’s a special place to live.I don’t think he’s going to be worrying about football any time soon. (I sure wouldn’t.) Whatever he does eventually decide to do, I hope he won’t be a stranger around NC State. Time will pass, people will chill on the negativity this season’s brought to a head, and the proper appreciation for the work he did here will come. It’s a shame that this will require any time at all, but that’s the nature of the sports beast, I guess. Thank YOU, Dave. Now scram. You’re missing quality lake time.