'Not how I wanted to go out': Dave Doeren after being fired by NC State
Dave Doeren did not get the ending he wanted.
The winningest coach in NC State football history spent his final press conference Tuesday thanking his family, former players, staff members and fans while reflecting on his 13½ seasons with the Wolfpack.
Doeren was fired Oct. 24 with athletics director Boo Corrigan announcing the coaching change following NC State’s 31-28 loss at Stanford. Doeren finished his tenure in Raleigh with a 98-74 record, including eight or more wins in eight seasons.
"This is not how I wanted to go out," Doeren said on Oct. 27. "But, you know, the more I thought about it, honestly, how many coaches get to go out the way they wanted?"
Doeren reflected on the success he found early in his tenure at NC State and the challenge of sustaining it as college football changed. Doeren led NC State to a winning record in 10 of his first 13 seasons and had back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2017 and 2018.
"Pre-NIL transfer portal, when I took this job, I knew what it was, and I felt like we had a plan," Doeren said. "I was able to thrive, developing players often under times, underappreciated players,...