Dave Doeren discusses new coaches, QBs and more

NC State officially kicked off spring practice this week, and the Wolfpack took the field for its first day of football workouts following a two month window of winter conditioning Wednesday morning. After the practice, Dave Doeren addressed the media.

Here’s the full video and transcript from the press conference.

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Dave Doeren’s spring practice press conference

On his early impressions of Brennan Armstrong

Dave Doeren “I don’t think I’m surprised just because we played against him and broke down a lot of his film as competitors. It is nice to get to know his personality. I think that’s the one thing, when you recruit an older player, you don’t get that opportunity, like you do with younger players that you recruit for years, to get to know them. Just seeing how he treats his teammates and the way he directs guys out there on the field, he’s steady, he’s competitive, he’s kind of a coach on the field at times, so it’s good to see that that side of him. He’s definitely got leadership value that comes from experience and hard work, and the buy-in that he has in the offense, I think, is pretty evident.”

On sharing info on the new offense with MJ Morris and Ben Finley

Dave Doeren: “Well, he’s a good teammate, and so are MJ and Ben. It’s fun watching that room. I think coach [Kurt] Roper has done a nice job building that up, and Lex Thomas is in there as well. Those kids just want to get better and want to learn. They are teammates. Obviously, they’re competing to play, but they also care about each other. And so they’re helping each other, encouraging each other and that’s what you want to see.”

On if the experience in the running back room changes anything for that position group

Dave Doeren: “I would think so. I think they’re hungry to help the offense more, to be a bigger factor in what’s going on. I think they’re battle tested more now and have had more film to learn off of. I also think there’s guys like Delbert Mimms [and] Demarcus Jones that are chomping at the bit to compete and move their way into the rotation more. So, it’s going to be a competitive spring, with Jordan [Houston] and Demie [Sumo-Karngbaye] and those two guys. Having Kendrick Raphael here early lets us teach him the offense early and see what he can do.”

On if Robert Anae’s offense leads to success for running backs

Dave Doeren: “The thing that coach Anae is known for is getting his playmakers the ball, and so I can’t really say what position that is yet. This is the first day of practice, and it’s going to take time. I think he’s got to learn what these guys can and can’t do well and where their weaknesses might be and try to personnel things certain ways, and it’s going to probably take until the middle of training camp in the fall to truly know which direction he’s going take it as far as touches with certain guys.”

On what Payton Wilson brings to the team as a leader

Dave Doeren: “These sixth-year players that you get to coach are just different. They’ve been through a lot off the field. Their experience on the field is just unique. You don’t have a lot of those guys that you coach over time and, in Payton’s case, that played as well as he has over the two years that he was able to play a full season, so it’s fun watching his maturity too, just how he’s grown as a leader, his ability to speak in front of the guys and hold guys accountable. He’s really, really taken another step that way as a leader.”

On competition and team chemistry during spring practice

Dave Doeren: “The competition is a part of this. I think the chemistry is a bigger part for me right now. I think competition is going to take time, and you really don’t choose starters coming out of the spring. You set your depth chart for fall camp. The chemistry of this team is really valuable— to find out the strengths, where our weak spots are, whether we need to move guys around or recruit another guy or just get some guys better because of the reps they’re gonna gain over the summer. But it’s a really good evaluation period. We’re not in a rush. We don’t have a game in four days. You can take your time and space things out, really teach the game.”

On how the offense will feature tight ends and H-backs

Dave Doeren: “It depends on them. Again, I think this is an offense that’s going to use the talent. These guys [have] got to earn the right to out there and get involved. We’re not just going to put people on the field because we have a personnel group. The guys that earn the opportunity [are], as coach calls it, the circle of trust for him. The guys that he trusts are going to make plays. They’re going to be the ones that are out there.”

On how he is liking the new assistants

Dave Doeren: “Coach Anae brought an evolution here. He’s doing a great job, taking his time with it, getting to know the players. He’s got a good personality, he’s fun, he wants the guys to play fast, but he’s going to hold them accountable. And coach [Garett] Tujague really walked into a good room of people. That offensive line group is really close together, and so just seeing him put his fingerprints on that group and, as time goes, obviously we’re just in helmets right now, it’s kind of hard to judge the evolution of things without contact. But I like their personalities, how they work and how they’ve gelled with everybody.”

On choosing someone to wear the No. 1 jersey

Dave Doeren: “It’ll be a fall thing, when we get to fall camp. It’s going to take time. You’re replacing the guy that wore it for three years, and there [are] several players that are running for it, but when I know it’s time, we’ll hand it out.”