‘I’m going to keep coaching’: NC State coach Dave Doeren doesn’t plan to retire after 2025 season

Although it’s been reported as fact in some circles around the NC State program, Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said he does not have plans to retire following the 2025 season in his weekly media availability Thursday afternoon. 

“I think about winning games, trying to find ways to get better, trying to help this football team, trying to help this university, trying to help my coaches, trying to be a good dad, trying to not get my wife mad at me — that’s what I think about,” Doeren said. “Do I have plans down the road someday to retire? Sure. I don’t have plans to do that [now]. I’m going to keep coaching. I’ve got four years left on my contract.”

Doeren, who is under contract at NC State through the 2029 season, would be owed a $12.5 million buyout if he were to be relieved of his duties following this season. All of his full-time position coaches are under contract through the 2027 campaign, and would be due a total buyout just north of $5 million in the event of a coaching change.

The Wolfpack is 4-4 through its first eight games, losing four of its last five, as No. 8 Georgia Tech visits Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday night (7:30 p.m., ESPN2). 

The 53-year-old coach is NC State’s most-winningest coach in program history with 91 victories as he is in the midst of his 13th year leading the Wolfpack. Doeren, who has guided NC State to a bowl in 10 of the last 11 seasons, is looking to snap the Pack’s losing skid after the team started the year 3-0, including a win over current No. 15 Virginia. 

Doeren’s focus, he said, is on fixing the team’s execution problems in practice this week. The Wolfpack’s skid at the midway point of the season has been due to inconsistent showings from all three phases of the team, which have snowballed into the four-straight losses to FBS opponents.

“We’ve got to eliminate mistakes, and that’s how you win a game, not beat yourself,” Doeren said. “We’ve got to play a clean football game to win a football game. Period.”

Doeren noted that this weekend’s game will test the game plan execution from his team. Defensively, it’s about keeping eye discipline against Georgia Tech’s effective rushing attack, while the Wolfpack’s offense is looking to avoid dropped passes, poorly located throws or blocks that they haven’t finished — all three of which have appeared throughout the losses.

Despite the rumor of his impending retirement — and a possibility of being on the hot seat — Doeren is full steam ahead on correcting the Wolfpack’s play across the final four games of the fall.

“I want this place to be as good as it can be,” Doeren said. “I’ve done a lot, we’ve done a lot here to make this a stable, successful, competitive program. I love these kids, man. … I’m having fun. I know losing sucks and it hurts. I’m pissed as hell on Sunday and Monday, but I’m having fun going to practice with this football team.”

This story will be updated.