Updated Oct. 24, 2026, 9:02 p.m. ET
North Carolina football fired longtime coach Dave Doeren on Saturday, Oct. 24, the school announced.
Doeren, who has been with the Wolfpack since 2013, ends his career with a 98-73 record, including a 3-4 start in 2026 after NC State’s 31-28 loss to Stanford on Friday, Oct. 23.
The Wolfpack’s loss to the Cardinal was the final straw for a program that has underperformed this season, especially with quarterback CJ Bailey’s return. His production has also taken a step back in 2026 after throwing for 3,105 yards with 25 touchdowns to nine interceptions last season.
North Carolina State is the second Power Four program to fire its coach this season, joining Maryland, who parted ways with Mike Locksley on Oct. 21.
Who will replace Doeren at North Carolina State? Here are a few potential options:
North Carolina State football coaching candidates
Charlie Weis Jr.
One of the best offensive minds in college football, LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. could be a candidate for head coach openings this offseason. Weis Jr. stayed with Mississippi during its College Football Playoff run last offseason after Lane Kiffin left for LSU, and called plays for the Rebels before rejoining Kiffin’s staff.
The 33-year-old has been an assistant at Florida, Kansas, Alabama, Florida Atlantic and South Florida before he was hired by Kiffin at Ole Miss. He also had a one-year stint with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons in 2017.
Scott Satterfield
Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield is from Hillsborough, North Carolina, and could be another option for the Wolfpack. Satterfield and Cincinnati upset Texas Tech 37-24 on Oct. 24 to improve to 5-2 on the season.
The 53-year-old former Louisville head coach played quarterback at Appalachian State, where he later became the head coach from 2013-18. Satterfield has proven to be a solid head coach and perhaps he wants to return home.
Shannon Dawson
Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson is another coordinator that is a popular name as a potential future head coach. Dawson has been one of the best quarterback developers and play-callers in college football with the Hurricanes, helping turn Cam Ward into the No. 1 overall pick, Carson Beck into a third-round pick and, now, developing Darian Mensah into a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Dawson would likely be a strong offense to North Carolina State with a background of quarterback development.
Charles Huff
First-year Memphis coach Charles Huff has won everywhere since becoming a head coach in 2021 at Marshall, winning 10 games with the Thundering Herd in 2024 before leading Southern Miss to a six-win turnaround last season. He has Memphis competing for the American Conference title in 2026.
Jason Eck
He has never coached in the South, but second-year New Mexico coach Jason Eck has proven head coaching chops — and is one of the hottest names of the coaching carousel after turning the Lobos into a Group of Six contender for the College Football Playoff.
Eck won nine games in his first season with the program in 2025, and has led New Mexico to a 5-1 start in 2026 with a near-upset of Oklahoma. This, despite the fact starting quarterback Jack Layne suffered a season-ending injury in fall camp.
Buster Faulkner
Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner has been one of the best offensive coordinators in college football the past four seasons. He was hired away from Georgia Tech this season by first-year Florida head coach Jon Sumrall, and has led one of the SEC’s best rushing attacks in 2026.
Faulkner was on Kirby Smart’s staff as Georgia’s quarterbacks coach from 2020-22 and could be a fit for the Wolfpack.
Blake Baker
If NC State wants to go the defensive coordinator route, LSU’s Blake Baker is another up-and-coming future head coach.
Baker was kept on Kiffin’s inaugural staff after being hired by former LSU coach Brian Kelly in 2024. He previously spent 2022-23 as the defensive coordinator at Missouri. The 44-year-old former Tulane linebacker has been a defensive assistant at Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech and Miami.
Lance Taylor
Former Notre Dame running backs coach and Louisville offensive coordinator Lance Taylor is another current head coach who has had proven success. Taylor led Western Michigan to a MAC championship last season with a 10-3 record, and is off to a 5-2 start this season (some may argue the Broncos should be 6-1).
Taylor has experience as an assistant at the Power Four level and as an NFL assistant. The former Alabama walk-on receiver was also the receivers coach at Appalachian State in 2009.
Philip Rivers
It might be a long shot, but former North Carolina State quarterback Philip Rivers would be an unorthodox choice — although, likely, a popular one among fans.
Rivers, the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, played for the Wolfpack from 2000-03 before embarking on a long NFL career. His son, Gunner Rivers, is also a four-star quarterback committed to NC State.
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