At this week’s ACC football media days, North Carolina State’s head coach Dave Doeren took the stage to outline the Wolfpack’s outlook for the upcoming season.
A Steak‑Metaphor for Potential
Doeren recounted a recent dinner at The Crunkleton, where he and his players enjoyed a steak before the press conference. He likened the team’s talent to the meat on the bone of a well‑cooked cut, emphasizing that the program is primed for growth.
Now in his 14th year as head coach, Doeren is approaching the 50th anniversary of NC State’s last ACC championship in 1979. Over the past six seasons the Wolfpack have amassed the second‑most conference wins, posting at least eight victories in five of those years.
Chasing a First ACC Championship Game Appearance
The coach reminded reporters that the program has captured titles at every stop he has held, and that the current roster is determined to add a new chapter by reaching the ACC championship game for the first time in school history.
Doeren also noted the shifting landscape of college football in North Carolina, where competition for attention and resources has intensified. The Wolfpack open the 2026 season at Virginia on August 29, a matchup that could set the tone for their title aspirations.