NC State outlines vision for football in letter after Dave Doeren's exit

A day after former N.C. State football coach Dave Doeren said the program's resources must match its expectations, Wolfpack administrators said they're "fully committed" to providing what's necessary to win at the highest level.

In a letter addressed to " Wolfpack Nation" on Oct. 28, signed by N.C. State chancellor Kevin Howell and athletics director Boo Corrigan, those leaders thanked Doeren but said "we believe this is the right time for a new chapter, with fresh leadership and renewed energy to elevate Wolfpack Football to the next level."

Following a 3-4 start, Doeren was fired Oct. 24 in the middle of his 14th season. He leaves as the winningest coach in program history with a 98-74 record, but the Wolfpack hasn't won an ACC championship since 1979 and has only one season (2002) with double-digit wins.

Since the ACC Championship game's inception in 2005, N.C. State has yet to make an appearance while its three Tobacco Road rivals had secured six berths. Duke, Wake Forest and North Carolina have each made two title-game appearances, with the Blue Devils raising the trophy in 2025.

"For this program to become what is wanted and expected, the resources need to match the expectations," Doeren said in his farewell address during a Zoom call on Oct. 27. "That is the reality in college sports. I hope for N.C. State that this commitment to football happens."

Corrigan has been N.C. State's athletics director since 2019 and Howell is a longtime administration who became chancellor in 2025.

"We believe that NC State will compete at an elite level, challenge for ACC Championships, and be positioned for the College Football Playoff year in and year out," the leaders wrote in their letter to fans.

"Together, we are fully committed to providing the financial investment, infrastructure, and NIL support required to compete and win in this new landscape."

The College Football Playoff will expand from 12 teams to 24 teams beginning with the 2027 season, opening up additional opportunities for Power Four programs while putting enhanced pressure on them to reach the postseason tournament.

"We recognize the opportunity, the passion of our fanbase, and the commitment of this University and its supporters," the letter said. "Our responsibility is to translate those strengths into sustained success on the field."

In addition to N.C. State administrators, former N.C. State players Bill Cowher and Dewayne Washington will assist with the national search for the next head coach.

Interim coach Todd Goebbel and the Wolfpack (3-4, 1-3 ACC) will host Cal (3-5, 2-3) on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Carter-Finley Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon and the game will be televised on ACC Network.

Rodd Baxley covers college athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com .