Goebbel Takes Over at NC State After Doeren Firing

A sudden change at NC State

Todd Goebbel is stepping up as interim head coach for NC State following the firing of Dave Doeren. The decision came on Saturday, less than a day after the team lost at Stanford.

Doeren spent 14 years with the program, becoming the winningest coach in school history and the fourth longest tenured coach in the FBS. Goebbel worked under Doeren for eight seasons and has been on staff since 2019, working as running backs coach and special teams coordinator. Now he will lead the Wolfpack through at least the final five games of the regular season.

Staff changes and player reactions

The coaching changes did not stop with Doeren. NC State also fired defensive coordinator DJ Eliot after the defense allowed 31 points to a Stanford team picked to finish last in the conference. Assistant Charlton Warren will call defensive plays for the rest of the season, while special teams analyst Zac Roper steps into Goebbel's previous role.

The news was a shock to the roster. Quarterback CJ Bailey said Doeren called him directly to share the news. Bailey admitted it was hard to believe at first, but he quickly shifted his focus to how he could help the team move forward. Defensive tackle Isaiah Shirley noted that players held private team meetings to own their part in the team's struggles and focus on the rest of the season.

Looking forward under Goebbel

Goebbel said he reached out to other coaches who experienced interim roles, but his biggest support came from his players. He credited the culture to the foundation built during Doeren's 14 years in charge.

Goebbel stated that the team wants to make Doeren proud each week by playing hard, tough, and together. That effort starts with a home game against California. NC State currently holds a 3-4 record overall and a 1-3 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

What it means for the next game

California Golden Bears at NC State Wolfpack (College Football, Sat, 31 Oct): NC State Wolfpack win 72%, California Golden Bears win 28%; projected score NC State Wolfpack 33, California Golden Bears 25. Our safest pick: NC State to win.