Dave Doeren opens up on his stability during NC State tenure

Dave Doeren wouldn’t want to be any place else other than NC State. The Wolfpack head coach started in 2013 and wants to end right in Raleigh, North Carolina.

When you spend a decade in a place, it’s hard to leave or accept a change of scenery. It’s been a “blessing” for Doeren.

The NC State coach put it into perspective at the 2023 ACC Football Kickoff.

“For me it’s a blessing to be at this school this long,” Doeren said. “Really in my life I’ve never lived anywhere this long. Even as a child, moving around. To be able to say that all three of my sons didn’t have to move through their childhood years and their schooling, I think that’s a huge win in the parenting box.

“From a stability standpoint NC State has definitely supported me ask Sara and the kids. I love the leadership. Chancellor Woodson has been huge in this for me, and now Boo Corrigan. I came to NC State for the same reason I’m still there. I think it’s a great fit. It’s a bunch of blue-collar, tough, hard-working people that enjoy good food, good music. The state of North Carolina, fishing, mountains, beach, lakes. I mean, you can’t beat it. It’s really just a tremendous place to live.”

Doeren is 72-54 in his career with NC State after a 23-4 stint at Northern Illinois over the course of two seasons.

“So thankful to be here, and honestly hope that they let me finish here,” Doeren said. “That’s my goal is to retire here one day. The winningest coach in school history and be able to kind of go to the parking lot and tailgate myself and have some fun. Maybe not have as much stress and get a vacation every now and then.

“It’s a fun group too, and the guys that I’ve been able to coach and the coaches I’ve been able to work with make it the ride that — that’s what it’s about. It’s that journey you have.”

Despite the numerous bowl wins and appearances, Doeren lacks an ACC title. He was asked what it would take.

“I would love to see it, and it’s great to see you, Kent, as a former player of mine,” Doeren said. “We finished second in the league a couple of times records-wise. Second in the league for league wins three years now combined, and I think it’s third over the ten years that I’ve been here for league wins. So we’ve had a lot of success.

“How do you get over the top? That’s a great question. I say this to the team. It’s one more play sometimes or one more player sometimes or one more play-call. It’s a very little thing that takes place. Sometimes you have to have some luck too.”