NC State DL coach Charley Wiles looks forward to Virginia Tech return

NC State defensive line coach Charley Wiles is nearing the end of his 36th year in coaching. He spent the past four seasons with the Wolfpack and, prior to his current stint in Raleigh, he built a legacy at Virginia Tech. 

For the first time with fans in the stands, Wiles will return to the stadium he called home for more than two decades. NC State faces off against Virginia Tech Saturday, Nov. 18, at 3:30 p.m.. 

The Wolfpack assistant said he is not sure what emotions will come along with his return to Blacksburg. His career with the Hokies, which spanned from 1996-2019, included the opportunity to coach in more than 20-consecutive bowl games, and he worked in the same position for each of those seasons. 

Wiles coached the defensive line for a unit that led the nation in sacks during his tenure. 

“I don’t have to hate you to beat you,” Wiles said. “I’m not that guy, I don’t. I want to win, and we’re going to compete, and I want our guys to play hard and play well, but I have a lot of fond memories from there as well. We built a good football program.”

When he returns to Blacksburg this weekend, he will do so with a singular goal in mind— leave Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium with a victory and extend the program’s three-game winning streak. 

His son lives in Blacksburg, and his daughter plans on making the trip down from Cincinnati, Ohio, for this game. The Wolfpack assistant is going to set aside some family time during the trip to his former home.

“We’ll all get together Friday night and have a meal together, so that’ll be great,” Wiles said.  

For the NC State fans visiting for the game, the Wolfpack assistant recommends PK’s Bar and Grill in Blacksburg or Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse in Roanoke. 

If there’s a good place to eat, Dave Doeren said Wiles knows where to go. NC State’s head coach said the defensive line coach enjoys a good meal with good friends, but that is not what this weekend is about. 

“It’ll be a business trip,” Doeren said. 

Wiles recruited a few current members of Virginia Tech’s defensive line. Norell Pollard, Mario Kendricks and Josh Fuga all bonded with Wiles during their respective recruiting processes in the 2019 class and will now try to disrupt their former position coach’s homecoming. 

At the game, the Hokies will also honor former defensive lineman Corey Moore who, under Wiles’ coaching, put together a College Football Hall of Fame career that included two first-team All-American seasons and a Bronko Nagurski Trophy. 

Later this year, Wiles will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the lineman’s induction ceremony. 

Even Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry has a connection to the Pack assistant. When he worked at the school as a graduate assistant in the 1990’s, the Hokies hired Wiles to replace future Florida and Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. 

Pry worked at Virginia Tech from 1995-97. He worked with Wiles for his first two seasons with the program, and they built a bond that remains strong today. 

“I learned a lot from Charley,” Pry said. “It was tough, him coming here after that ‘95 year and walking into that d-line room, and man, he did a great job. The guys fell in love with him. I think for a lot of years, he was a great complement to Bud [Foster.] He’s a good friend.”

The Wolfpack’s last trip to Virginia Tech ended in a 45-24 loss during the 2020 season. NC State allowed 314 rushing yards in that contest. Through 10 games this fall, the program is giving up 100.3 rushing yards per game. 

Wiles helped raise NC State’s defensive standard over the past few years, just like he did with Virginia Tech for multiple decades. He is looking forward to continuing that work this weekend. 

“It’s the next game,” Wiles said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to keep winning and keep improving.”