NC State football has officially parted ways with head coach Dave Doeren following a shocking 31-28 defeat to Stanford on Friday night. The stunning loss to the struggling Cardinal served as the final straw for the administration, prompting the immediate dismissal of the longtime leader. College football insider Nicole Auerbach broke the news on X, confirming that Todd Goebel, the team’s running backs coach and special teams coordinator, will assume the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season. The decision came less than 24 hours after the game, signaling a decisive pivot for the program.
A 31-28 loss to Stanford ends Doeren’s 13-year tenure as the Wolfpack’s winningest coach.
Doeren’s departure concludes a 13-year era in Raleigh that transformed NC State into a consistent competitive force. Since taking the helm in 2013, he guided the Wolfpack to 10 bowl appearances, establishing a new standard of stability for the program. Despite his success in the regular season, Doeren’s postseason record of 4-6 highlighted a persistent struggle in high-stakes games. He leaves office with an overall mark of 98-74, securing his place as the winningest head coach in NC State history, surpassing legendary figures such as Chuck Amato and the late Lou Holtz.
The abrupt change in leadership occurs during a turbulent 2026 campaign that already featured a controversial finish against Vanderbilt. By promoting Goebel, the administration is betting on internal continuity to stabilize the roster and morale before the season concludes. Goebel, who has been a staple of the staff, now faces the immediate task of managing the locker room and executing the game plan without the distraction of a full coaching search. This move underscores the high-pressure environment in college football, where even historically successful coaches face termination after a single high-profile upset.
Source: Yahoo Sports
