Temperature is Rising – NC State Wolfpack 2025 Football Preview

Dave Doeren’s seat might not be scorching yet, but the temperature is rising.

After 12 seasons, 87 wins, and precisely zero ACC Championship game appearances, the longest-tenured coach in NC State history finds himself at a crossroads. The 2024 campaign, which had a #24 preseason ranking, ended with a whimper—a 6-7 record and a bowl loss to East Carolina that left fans wondering if this program had reached its ceiling.

Here’s what you need to know about the Wolfpack’s make-or-break 2025 season:

The $15.7 Million Question

Despite extending Doeren through 2029, NC State’s administration can’t ignore these uncomfortable truths:

  • His 44-46 ACC record speaks volumes about the program’s conference struggles
  • The Wolfpack haven’t reached the heights many believe are possible
  • 2024’s disappointment came with a veteran-laden roster
  • The “we battled injuries” excuse only goes so far after 12 years

Doeren has built a rock-solid program that wins 8+ games in good years, but the nagging question remains: Is that enough for a program hungry for more?

With a massive $15.7 million buyout in place, AD Boo Corrigan likely isn’t making a change after one down year—but another mediocre season might force a difficult conversation.

Staff Overhaul: The Last Stand?

Doeren recognized change was necessary, completely reshuffling his coaching deck:

  • Kurt Roper promoted to offensive coordinator (replacing Robert Anae)
  • D.J. Eliot hired as defensive coordinator
  • Charlton Warren added as co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach
  • Gavin Locklear elevated to tight ends coach

This wholesale transformation signals Doeren knows precisely what’s at stake in 2025.

The statistics tell a story of a team that struggled on both sides of the ball in 2024:

  • Offensive mediocrity: 377.8 total yards per game (232.6 passing, 145.2 rushing)
  • Defensive vulnerability: 390.8 yards allowed per game
  • Turnover troubles: 2.4 giveaways per game in losses
  • Road/neutral site woes: 0-2 in neutral sites allowing 466.5 yards per game

Most concerning? The Wolfpack went just 3-5 in ACC play, finishing 12th in the expanded conference.

Roster Outlook: Hope Amid Uncertainty

The talent pipeline hasn’t dried up, even amid on-field struggles:

  • 2025 recruiting class ranks 35th nationally, 7th in ACC
  • Eight four-star recruits continue a five-year trend of strong recruiting
  • Potential breakout performers on defense, particularly in the secondary
  • Promising receiver corps developing talent

But the questions loom large:

  • Can the offensive line make necessary improvements?
  • Will quarterback play find consistency?
  • Can the running game develop explosiveness?
  • Will special teams clean up persistent issues?

The Bottom Line For 2025

Another 6-6 prediction from 247Sports suggests mediocrity might be baked into expectations.

But this season represents something more fundamental: a referendum on whether Dave Doeren can elevate NC State beyond its current station or if the program requires new leadership to reach the next level.

Patience is wearing thin for a fanbase that’s watched neighboring programs compete for championships while settling for Holiday Bowl appearances.

The clock is ticking in Raleigh.

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2024 ACC Pre-Season Meeting of the Mascots

Meeting Minutes:

Duke Blue Devil:

As this year’s chair, I call the meeting to order. The first order of business is to welcome the latest members to the conference, Cal, Stanford, and Southern Methodist University. Then we’ll get onto pending litigation. Put the shillelagh down, Leprechaun. You know our policy on weapons in the committee room. 

Notre Dame Leprechaun:

I was fully clothed at the time of the accident! Any allegation to the contrary is slander!  It was not a full-size bus. That’s a gross exaggeration. It was a minibus, and I’ll have no witty remarks regarding my stature!

Duke Blue Devil:

Duly noted Leprechaun. The chair recognizes The Demon Deacon of Wake Forest.

Demon Deacon of Wake Forest:

I object to the presence of Cal and Stanford in our conference.  Do I have to say it? They’re from the West! The home of sin and perdition. This is the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Having Pacific Coast teams among us is wrong! It’s contrary to nature! It’s Blaspheme, that’s what it is!

Hokie Bird of Virginia Tech:

Give it a rest, deacon. You went 4 and 8 last year. Times are changing.

Duke Blue Devil:

The chair recognizes the Clemson Tiger.  Thank you for raising your paw.

Clemson Tiger:

Yeah, man. Oski the Bear. I get that—a bear. I’m a tiger, and he’s a bear. But what the hell is going on with Stanford?  A tree? You come in here as a tree?

Stanford Tree:

I have googly eyes! I’m both relatable and ironic!

Clemson Tiger:

No man. That’s abstract. You got to be something real. Like a tiger, for example. People understand tigers.

Ramblin’ Reck of Georgia Tech

I’m with Syracuse. Nobody likes concepts. I’m a wreck, a wrecked car. It’s a thing. People like wrecked cars!

Notre Dame Leprechaun

I rest my fecking case.

Duke Blue Devil

Language Leprechaun!

Otto the Orange of Syracuse:

I protest that reasoning! I’m orange! I’m not an orange. I’m not the orange. I’m just orange.  I’m a concept. A tree is a concept too! You all need to open your minds!

Duke Blue Devil

6-7 last year Syracuse. You might consider running the ball. The chair recognizes Mrs. Wuf, from North Carolina State.

Mrs. Wuf of NC State

I rise to speak to the issue of academic excellence. Our friends from the west come with august records of academic achievement.  Some among us have allowed our standards to lapse.

Osceola and Renegade  – Florida State

     Here we go again, everyone hating on Florida.

Sebastian the Ibis – University of Miami

Excellence has a price. Sometimes the students have to pay it. That’s all I’m saying.

Duke Blue Devil

Put out the cigar Sebastian. There is no smoking in the committee room! The chair recognizes the Wahoo.

The Wahoo – University of Virginia

Let’s get down to the real issue here, competitiveness.  I’m talking TV ratings and NIL. Cash in hand! Daddy needs a new stadium. Who is to say these new teams can run with the ACC?

Duke Blue Devil

Okay. Uh, for Southern Methodist University we have Peruna the Mustang. Can you speak to that question?

Peruna of SMU

Thank you Blue Devil. It’s a pleasure to be here. We went 9-0 last year, and won our division. We deserve to play in the ACC.  

The Hokie Bird of Virginia Tech

You were in the AAC! You beat Tulsa, Temple, and the University of East Carolina.  If your schedule was any lighter you’d be playing high school teams!

Duke Blue Devil

Settle down everyone!  Settle down! Oskie? Any comment? 

Oski the Bear – Cal

We’re rebuilding. We have a great team this year and we’re looking forward to returning to the Rose Bowl!

The Hokie Bird of Virginia Tech

The last time you were in the Rose Bowl was 1959. When are you going to be done rebuilding, the year 3000?

Ms. Wuf – North Carolina State.

     I find Oski’s cardigan very attractive.

Duke Blue Devil

Ms. Wuf, where is Mr. Wuf today?

Ms. Wuf

We’re exploring our sexuality through an open relationship. He’s up chasing a Husky in Connecticut. Oski? Are you into experimentation?

The Demon Deacon of Wake Forest

Abomination! We cannot have inter-conference, inter-species, intermingling! I object! I object! I object!

Duke Blue Devil.

4 and 8 last season. Maybe a little less from the pulpit and a little more from your backfield. Stanford?

The Stanford Tree

We have twenty Nobel laurites on our faculty!

The Clemson Tiger

You went 3 and 9, second worst in our division!

The Stanford Tree

Our band is extremely unconventional!

Duke Blue Devil

Settle down everyone, settle down!  Well, it’s not like we have a choice in the matter. They’re in the conference now and that’s that.  Oskie, we’ll give you the last word.

Oski the Bear – Cal

Thank you, thank you. Well, it’s no secret that we miss the Pac- 10.  We miss bus rides up and down the coast, playing the other schools in the West as the sun set over the Pacific. I guess the only comfort we can find is that no matter how stupid it is for us to play in the ACC, how illogical, how ridiculous it is… at least Stanford has to do it too.

Duke Blue Devil

Quiet everyone, quiet! Leprechaun! Are you peeing in the closet?

The Leprechaun of Notre Dame

I had a late breakfast.

Duke Blue Devil

Hey Clemson! Florida, and Florida State. Sit down. The meeting isn’t over. Where do you think you’re going?

The Clemson Tiger

The SEC is having a tailgate.  We thought we would stop by and do some networking.

Sebastian the Ibis – University of Miami

This is fun and all, but keep one word in mind going forward: “realignment.” 

The Duke Blue Devil

Meeting adjourned!

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