Not goodbye, but see you around

In 2004, I began my journey with The Wolfpacker. On one of the first days on the job, we received an announcement that Jay Davis would replace Philip Rivers as the starting quarterback for NC State. The opener was against Richmond, a 42-0 Wolfpack win that I watched from the stands.

That was because the old “Trailer in the Sky” was gone, and the new tower above the western side of Carter-Finley Stadium was under construction. The young 24-year-old I was subsequently lost my keys that night, prompting me to call the only person I really knew in Durham to give me a ride back to my apartment — my new boss, Stu Coman.

Another call was made to my father to bring some new keys down for my car. The old man was not thrilled about the middle-of-the-night request, especially after the apartment maintenance crew took their time getting me back into the place, but he was always there for me even under the most unideal circumstances.

Week 2 saw NC State host Ohio State in one of the biggest college football home nonconference games ever seen in this state. At linebacker for the Buckeyes was a young Marcus Freeman.

Fast forward 20 football seasons: NC State has one of the nicest press boxes in the ACC, Davis is a high school football coach in St. Petersburg, Stu is charting the final phases of his storied publishing career and my father will have been my guardian angel for eight years on Sept. 25.

And Freeman is now the head coach at Notre Dame.

A lot has changed, including my own perspective of where my life will go.

One of the first games I covered was Ohio State. Turns out the last as a full-time staff member of The Wolfpacker was Notre Dame.

Not a bad way to start and end.

Let me be clear, I am not going to stop hanging around the site. TheWolfpacker.com has been my virtual home since long before I started in 2004 and will continue to be so. If circumstances permit, I hope to be able to contribute from time to time, maybe make an embarrassment of myself in a podcast or write a comically dumb hot take.

This past spring, I reached a crossroads, professionally and personally. The move of The Wolfpacker to On3 has been invigorating for me. I feel genuine excitement that the site was one of the first to find a home on a network that is poised to dominate the industry like no other networks before it.

The hire of Ethan McDowell to the staff has exceeded even my wildest expectations. We had several impressive interviews for the position before Ethan. His potential was so obvious that when we finished the Zoom call, Stu immediately quipped, “Just go ahead and offer him the job.”

Soon, you will meet another young writer who has similar potential and will hopefully beef up our basketball coverage. TheWolfpacker.com is in excellent hands. And you will still see contributions from Tim Peeler and maybe myself.

I determined if I were ever to make a career move, now, at 43 years old, was the time. I was fortunate to receive multiple exciting opportunities, and after much consideration, will move on to a new professional path that I am exceedingly enthusiastic about and does not directly involve athletics.

With Ethan and his new help coming and a home with On3, they will make The Wolfpacker site far better than I ever did. And I have a chance to chart a new career journey that will hopefully be more rewarding for my family. This is a win for everyone, subscribers of TheWolfpacker.com included.

I have lived a very fulfilled professional life, receiving an opportunity to work in a dream job almost straight out of college. For nearly two decades, I have been part of a special organization with Coman Publishing Company, affording me opportunities many would only dream about.

I would be remiss if I did not express gratitude to a few people, beginning with my incomparable mother, who to this day remains my most faithful confidant in all things about life. I am a proud, true mama’s boy.

Stu, the best boss I could have dreamed to have and a true guiding figure in my life. Linda Autry, the office matriarch for much of my time at Coman Publishing. Sara Koenig, Laura Daniel, Gail Evans, Cathy Jones, Laura Thornton, Sarah Boone, Crystal Clayton, Beverly Taylor and the others who made life pleasant in our small offices. Special nod to Dave Searcy for being an all-around great guy to have around.

Ryan Tice, who went from an intern to a mentor, and his wife Logan, who was our ace babysitter. Jeanette Blankenship, without whom the offices at Coman Publishing Company would have fallen apart. The creative geniuses that were Jeanette, Cory Lavalette and Chris Miller, among others, who made us look good in the magazine. The best group of editors who somehow turned my mess into comprehensible reading, including Chris Riffer, Steve Downey, Mark Panus and Matt Herb.

The co-workers I had along the way, including Jacey Zembal, Justin H. Williams and Ethan, for sharing in my dream job. The contributors who helped make The Wolfpacker complete, including freelance writer Tim Peeler and photographers Ken Martin and Larry Blankenship, among others. Those who worked the beat with me, and out of fear of leaving anyone out, I’ll just say they know who they are.

The many kind people at NC State, but notably thank you to the sports information team led by Annabelle Myers, a true friend. There have been many SIDs along the way who treated me well, from the late great Bruce Winkworth to Brandon Yopp to Pat Norris to Brian Reinhardt to Craig Hammel and their many great colleagues.

The great people at the Wolfpack Club, including Bobby Purcell, Ben Broussard, Buzzy Correll, Phil Pilewski, Will Chriscoe and Brandon Cunningham, that I had a chance to get to know.

I will never forget my time working as an editor for The Wolfpacker and the countless experiences and relationships I have gained through that role. If my new professional journey can bless me with half the amount of joys I accumulated working for Stu and the many colleagues along the way, I will truly be the luckiest man.