Why Dave Doeren is not focused on negativity surrounding NC State football
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- N.C. State fell to 3-2 after back-to-back losses, fueling online fan criticism.
- Coach Dave Doeren emphasized loyalty, focus and resilience amid mounting pressure.
- Defensive coordinator DJ Eliot will return Friday after time away due to a family loss.
Social media posts related to the state of Wolfpack football aren’t pretty, with some fans calling for coach Dave Doeren’s job.
A handful of supporters who have ardently defended Doeren online appear to have given up after N.C. State’s 23-21 home loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday. This comes after the team was expected to be 5-1 or, more optimistically, 6-0, entering its Week 7 matchup at Notre Dame on Oct. 11. The Wolfpack plays Campbell, an FCS program, at home on Saturday.
Instead, the team is sitting at 3-2 after back-to-back losses against Duke and the Hokies, mistakes and missed tackles serving as major keys in the defeats.
“Fans, you guys were incredible,” Doeren said Monday. “We love your passion and appreciate you making Carter-Finley so special. I totally understand when you come to a game, you want to see us win. We want to give that to you, and we didn’t deliver.”
While the internet discourse does not reflect the entire fanbase, the criticism and frustration has been loud. Doeren, however, said he’s not paying attention.
“My job is to stay focused on what’s going on inside these walls with these young men,” Doeren said. “Externally, besides being a husband and a father, my job’s to recruit. My job is not to listen to you or the media or anyone else about their opinion of our program. It’s to do everything that I can to help these guys win the next game. And that’s the same thing I’m telling them.”
Doeren said it’s not necessary to read negative comments or coverage. He advocated for creating a community that promotes growth and listening to those people, blocking out those who sow pessimism — especially strangers online.
“You don’t listen to things that people tell you, that you don’t ask for advice from,” Doeren added. “I’m sure they’re not getting on social media asking for advice. So why pay attention to what people are saying?”
Doeren says the Wolfpack is commited to getting better
The longtime head coach also said some people only provide support when teams win. When they lose, those same people want coaches and players to leave.
Doeren compared the negativity surrounding the program to Alabama’s Week 1 loss to Florida State, when “everybody thought they were the worst team in college football.” The Crimson Tide was ranked No. 10 in the Associated Press Week 6 college football poll after rattling off three consecutive wins, including one over No. 5 Georgia.
“We’re going to be loyal to the people that are loyal to us, and that’s these players, that’s these coaches,” Doeren said. “We’re going to fight together, and we’re going to fight hard. That’s the message. These kids are going to do the same. They understand what it is. … That’s college sports. It’s pro sports. I think it’s a, ‘What have you done for me lately’ business.
“I understand we’ve lost two in a row, so that’s how we’re looked at, so we’ve got to get back to doing things better.”
Doeren emphasized the team is committed to “locking arms” and getting better. The program is built on overcoming adversity — whether that be responding to tough losses, internal hardships or injuries — and this is another test. The Wolfpack has seven regular-season games left, including against Campbell on Saturday, all opportunities to turn things around.
In his 13th year with the Wolfpack, Doeren recorded three losing seasons and has never finished consecutive seasons below .500. The team made a bowl game in 10 of the last 12 seasons but has never won more than nine games.
N.C. State has played the 12th hardest schedule this season, according to Pro Football Focus, and has one of the more difficult paths to the postseason in its remaining matchups. That challenge is being accepted.
“One of the things that I love about this school is it’s built with tough people,” Doeren said. “It’s a situation none of us thought we’d be in, but at the same time, it’s where we’re at. When you get tested, you stand up and face the test.”
When DJ Eliot will return to program
Defensive coordinator DJ Eliot traveled to Philadelphia last week to be with his family before the death of his daughter, Drue. He was not on the sideline Saturday.
Doeren said the family is hosting a service this week. Eliot will return to the team later this week, but he will not call plays. Co-defensive coordinator Charlton Warren will serve in that role for the second game.
“DJ will be back full time after that, but he’ll be with the team, I believe, Friday at the hotel, so that he can spend time with the players and help out on game day to support Charlton,” Doeren said. “But we wanted him to have this time with his family, to have the closure that he needs.”
This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM.
