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Anonymous ACC coaches say NC State is ‘a step behind top programs in the league’

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•05/28/25•

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Dave Doeren
Nov 2, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren during pregame warm up against Stanford Cardinals at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Throughout NC State coach Dave Doeren’s tenure, he has found a way to keep the Wolfpack in the top half of the league standings on a rather consistent basis. Of his first 12 years in Raleigh, the Pack has won eight or more games in seven of them, but it hasn’t been able to break through the glass ceiling. 

And as the Wolfpack looks to do so in the name, image and likeness era, opposing coaches around the ACC have seen how the program hasn’t been able to take the next step forward, according to Athlon Sports. 

“Dave [Doeren] has done a great job adjusting and rebuilding the roster over the years,” one coach told Athlon Sports. “The issue has always been how NC State is perceived. They’ll have really strong seasons with breakout guys, and then they always fail to take that next, bigger step.”

NC State entered the 2024 campaign with high expectations, looking to compete for the ACC Championship. But the result was a 6-6 season that ended with a Military Bowl loss to East Carolina. The Wolfpack battled key injuries, including to quarterback Grayson McCall, throughout last fall, which led to a turbulent season that featured four one-score losses. 

Now, as the Pack prepares for the 2025 season with sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey at the helm, it’s looking to once again take a step forward on the gridiron. 

Bailey, who impressed as a freshman with 2,413 passing yards to go with 22 total touchdowns and 10 interceptions, will be key in the team’s growth this fall. He was stellar in the red zone a year ago with 17 touchdowns and no turnovers in the most-critical part of the field — a pivotal piece to continue to build off of this season. 

But just as much as NC State’s expectations are to play in Charlotte at the end of the season to compete for an ACC title with a trip to the College Football Playoff, those around the league are perplexed on why the Wolfpack hasn’t already. 

“There’s always talent on these rosters,” a coach told Athlon Sports, “and it’s always a step behind the top programs in the league.”

The Wolfpack looked to correct that through the transfer portal this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Additionally, it replaced both coordinators as offensive play-caller Kurt Roper and defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot will look to bring a new spark to NC State’s team this fall. 

Although that’s the case, one ACC coach believes that the Wolfpack will be on track for another eight-win campaign as it hasn’t been able to compete with the top end of the conference in the NIL space.

“Right now, it’s easier to justify them being in that eight-win range because they’re lagging in NIL,” a coach told Athlon Sports. “The expectations and reality are pretty far off in that regard.”

Time will tell as NC State opens the season against East Carolina on Aug. 28 before it welcomes Virginia to Carter-Finley Stadium on Sept. 6. The Wolfpack will also face off with Campbell (Oct. 4) and a trip to Notre Dame (Oct.11) to round out its non-conference slate in 2025.

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