NC State Terminates Dave Doeren After 14 Seasons; Philip Rivers Emerges as Candidate

Key points

• NC State fired Dave Doeren on Saturday after the Wolfpack lost 31-28 to Stanford, dropping their record to 3-4.
• Doeren served as head coach for 14 seasons, finishing with a 98-73 record and 11 bowl appearances.
• Todd Goebbel, the running backs coach, will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
• Athletic Director Boo Corrigan stated that a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
• Doeren is owed a $9.75 million buyout based on his contract terms.
• Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers is reportedly expected to be in the mix for the job, according to NBC Sports.

Background

Doeren was hired in 2013 after two seasons at Northern Illinois. He transformed the program into a perennial bowl participant, reaching 11 bowl games in his 13 full seasons. However, the team struggled in the latter half of his tenure, including a 4-8 season in 2019 and a 6-7 record in 2024. The 2026 season began with high hopes, but the team suffered a historic loss to Vanderbilt in Week 3, where they fumbled away a victory in the final seconds. They also nearly lost to Appalachian State and were blown out at home by Wake Forest. Doeren was the fourth-longest tenured coach in FBS and second longest in the ACC. He was known for developing NFL-caliber players, with 29 draft picks during his tenure, including three first-round selections. Off the field, Doeren was active in the community, supporting efforts for disabled and neurodivergent individuals and partnering with Gigi's Playhouse.

How outlets are covering it

OutKick and Raleigh News & Observer reported the firing as a direct result of the Stanford loss and the team's overall poor performance this season. Raleigh News & Observer highlighted Athletic Director Boo Corrigan's previous support for Doeren, noting that he had defended the coach just days before the season opener. NBC Sports focused on the potential replacement, reporting that Philip Rivers is expected to be in the mix for the job. ESPN's source was inaccessible due to a 403 error. All sources agreed on the basic facts of the firing, the interim appointment of Todd Goebbel, and the start of a national search. The perspectives differ in emphasis: OutKick and Raleigh News & Observer focused on the firing and Doeren's tenure, while NBC Sports focused on the potential candidate for the job.

Why it matters

The firing of Dave Doeren marks the end of a 14-year era for NC State football. Doeren was a consistent competitor, but the team's struggles this season, including a historic loss to Vanderbilt and a blowout at home to Wake Forest, led to his termination. The decision to fire Doeren mid-season is significant, as Athletic Director Boo Corrigan had previously stated a preference for letting coaches finish seasons. The search for a new head coach will begin immediately, with Philip Rivers reportedly in the mix. The Wolfpack's future under a new coach is uncertain, but the decision to fire Doeren suggests that the university is seeking a fresh start.

What to watch

NC State will begin a national search for a new head coach immediately. Todd Goebbel will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The Wolfpack's next game is on Halloween against California. The search will likely include candidates such as Philip Rivers, who is reportedly expected to be in the mix. The university will also need to manage the roster and prepare for the next season under a new leadership structure.