NC State coach Dave Doeren clarifies post-Clemson comments, notes Payton Wilson’s status
Dave Doeren said Monday he didn’t mean any disrespect toward Steve Smith or the N.C. State basketball program with his comments following the Wolfpack football team’s win over Clemson on Saturday.
Doeren’s latest comments came less than 48 hours after responding to Smith, who as a guest picker on ESPN College GameDay said that N.C. State was “unfortunately ... waiting for basketball to start.”
After the Clemson win Saturday, Doeren told a sideline reporter, “Tell Steve Smith in the studio that this ain’t a basketball school. He can kiss my (butt).”
Doeren said he felt the need to stand up for the program and the team, saying the feelings were raw and authentic. Smith sent Doeren a video congratulating the team on the win.
“As a man, I thank him for that,” Doeren said. “It takes a lot of humility to do stuff like that. I know he was not trying to disrespect our program, even though that’s how I felt, and I appreciate him for that.”
Doeren invited Smith to spend time with the program and join the team on the sideline. Smith hasn’t committed to anything, but the two hope to connect and get him to Carter-Finley Stadium.
Additionally, Doeren emphasized his comments were not intended to be derogatory toward the basketball program.
“I did call Coach Keatts. Kevin’s a great friend,” Doeren said. “I love the guy and definitely have so much respect and admiration, not just for him, but for his program.”
Everything, he said, came from a place of defending football, but not at the expense of other sports. Doeren said N.C. State features many successful programs — including but not limited to men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, baseball and cross country — that get administrative and fan support..
“It’s rare to be at a school like that, so it does irk me when people label us as a one sport school, because we’re not,” Doeren said. “I think the proof is in what I just said: the ability to be productive in so many sports. It’s a well-rounded athletic department full of competitive winning teams. Since I am the football coach, I’m gonna defend my post for football.”
Wolfpack injury report
Linebacker Payton Wilson is expected to play this weekend against Miami. He exited the Clemson game late in the third quarter, walking off the field on his own before trainers evaluated him in the medical tent.
Doeren said Wilson experienced soreness after the game, but the defensive standout is fine. The Wolfpack is grateful the linebacker didn’t sustain a more serious injury.
“I look forward to seeing him play again and continue to do what he’s doing,” Doeren said. “I don’t know if there’s anyone in college football that’s having the impact he is in the game. I haven’t seen it yet. Not saying I haven’t seen a lot of good players this year, I have. That guy’s just a wrecking ball out there.”
Tight end Trent Pennix missed Saturday’s game against the Tigers. It’s unclear if he will return against the Hurricanes. Doeren said trainers were evaluating Pennix before his weekly press conference and had not received an update.
N.C. State hosts Miami at 8 p.m. Saturday. The Wolfpack needs one win to become bowl eligible and to give Doeren the program’s outright win record.
