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Dave Doeren
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Dave Doeren is the second-longest tenured coach in the ACC behind Clemson’s Dabo Swinney. He has been at NC State since 2013.
Dave Doeren Coaching Record
Dave Doeren is the winningest coach in NC State history with a record of 87-65 entering the 2025 season. His overall mark is 110-69.
Dave Doeren Coaching History
- 1994: Shawnee Mission (Kan.) HS — Wide receivers/Defensive line
- 1995-96: Drake — Linebackers
- 1997: Drake — Defensive coordinator/Linebackers
- 1998-1999: Southern Cal — Graduate assistant
- 2000-2001: Montana — Defensive backs
- 2002-2004: Kansas — Linebackers/Recruiting coordinator
- 2005: Kansas — Co-Defensive coordinator/Linebackers
- 2006-2007: Wisconsin — Co-Defensive coordinator/Linebackers
- 2008-10: Wisconsin — Defensive coordinator/Linebackers
- 2011-12: Northern Illinois — Head coach
- 2013-present: NC State — Head coach
Dave Doeren Coaching Bio
There aren’t many coaches in college football who embody the spirit and culture of their program better than Dave Doeren.
After beating rival North Carolina for the first time in 2015 in what was the biggest win of his tenure to that point, Dave Doeren characterized NC State as a “blue-collar, hand-in-the-dirt” school. It’s a motto that’s now painted on the wall of the team’s headquarters at Carter-Finley Stadium. It’s also a perfect description of Doeren’s personality.
He’s a Midwestern guy with an edge who cut his coaching teeth at off-the-beaten-path places such as his alma mater Drake, Montana and Northern Illinois. He demands toughness from his players without resorting to the typical cliché tough-guy tactics.
And he produces results.
Doeren has elevated the Wolfpack to new heights during his 12-year tenure in Raleigh. His run of 4 straight seasons with 8 or more wins between 2020-23 is the longest in school history and an accomplishment only 4 other power conference teams – Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Notre Dame – matched during that span.
His 87 wins entering the 2025 season are the most in school history.
It’s a success that has helped him earn the kind of job security necessary to keep chasing the ACC championship that has eluded the Wolfpack since 1978 despite building concern from an anxious fan base that the program has plateaued under his leadership.
“It’s a blessing to be at this school this long,” Doeren said in 2023. “I came to NC State for the same reason I’m still there. I think it’s a great fit.”
FAQ About Dave Doeren
What is Dave Doeren's Salary?
Doeren’s annual salary of $5,965,377 ranks fifth among ACC coaches, according to a database compiled by USA Today.
What is the Length of Dave Doeren's Contract?
The NC State Board of Trustees approved a 1-year extension to Doeren’s deal in February 2023 that keeps him under contract through the 2029 season.
What is Dave Doeren's Buyout?
NC State would owe Doeren a buyout $15,709,416 if he is let go without cause during 2025.
What Has Dave Doeren Done to Help NC State Students With Autism?
Doeren and his wife, Sara pledged $1.25 million to NC State in March 2023 to support students with autism and other disorders that challenge their organizational, task completion and decision-making skills. The inspiration for the program – called OnePack Empowered – came from watching their son Jacob, who is on the autism spectrum, successfully navigate his academic work with the support of a similar program at Appalachian State.
Has Dave Doeren Ever Led NC State to a 10-Win Season?
Yes and no. Officially, his 2021 team finished with a 9-3 record. But because UCLA opted out of its Holiday Bowl matchup with the Wolfpack literally hours before kickoff, Doeren and NC State consider the game a forfeit and claim it as its 10th victory while the ACC and NCAA consider it “no contest.”
Award-winning columnist Brett Friedlander has covered the ACC and college basketball since the 1980s.
