NC State football coach Dave Doeren on NIL, the NCAA, and the Wolfpack’s 2024 season
There was plenty of red and white at the weekly Raleigh Sports Club meeting Wednesday, where N.C. State football coach Dave Doeren spoke to members.
Doeren spoke to the group about his career, the upcoming season, and the state of college football.
Going into his 12th season with the Wolfpack, Doeren said he cares about the program, the university and the state at large. It’s also why he makes time to attend club meetings.
“These guys are a part of the community and so am I,” Doeren said. “Getting out and being around people that want to learn about the program a little more — for me to be able to be out there in the grassroots way — (is) because this is our home.”
Doeren answered a number of questions, many of which focused on NIL and the transfer portal. He called it the biggest change during his time as a football coach, and noted the lack of consistent “guardrails” and enforcement.
Here are four topics Doeren spoke about:
Impact of NIL on college athletics
Doeren said he spent about 30% of his time last year raising money. That’s not something he’d done before, with the exception of speaking to donors for major facility upgrades.
He said he doesn’t worry about the transfer portal or NIL during the season, but acknowledges that it’s a huge portion of the game now.
“I told our staff when it first happened, ‘We can adapt or die.’ That’s it. You’re not going to just kind of wait and see what happens in this world. You’re going to have to adapt to die. We’ve been out educating folks, we’ve got a tremendous group of guys now on our collective; it’s a group of businessmen that really run it like a company and go out and get sponsorships and donations. Obviously, they’re using the coaches to help with those causes. It’s a major, major factor.
“The sad part in NIL is the other third parties that are now trying to recruit players off their rosters to make money off the players to go to other schools. That’s a real thing that’s happening. They’re not just calling the players. They’re calling their old coach. They’re calling their families, and they guarantee or promise things that are not real at times.”
Doeren said there are positives, though. N.C. State doesn’t have the funds to pay players millions each year — they’re “fighting for every dollar” to remain relevant and compete in the ACC — but it has provided benefits.
Some players, often those with single parents, will send part of their funds to help their families pay bills. Others may use their money to assist loved ones with travel costs, so they can attend games. The collective also works with the players to teach them about filing taxes and investing, among other topics.
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“It’s not just, ‘Pay players and watch them go away,’” Doeren said. “My job is to help them succeed in every facet of life and surround them with the people that can help them do that. That’s what I do” facilitate the environment, the culture, the staff, so the players can thrive. … But it is a major player — not just in football — in college athletics. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Three years ago, it wasn’t even here. We’re all hopeful on the coaching side that they just get some level playing field regulations that help everybody.”
The NCAA’s handling of NIL, regulating activities
Doeren acknowledges the NCAA’s awkward position in relation to NIL, noting the decisions came from the U.S. court system. He said it’s trying to “corral” something it didn’t enact.
At this point, it’s about determining who is going to lead the efforts — he feels like coaches have solutions but no power — to provide more stability and regulations.
“We’re the ones that are doing all the heavy lifting with the players, their families and the recruits,” Doeren said. “It’s just like, ‘Would an adult just stand up and lead, please?’ That’s how it feels at times.”
It’s not that NIL shouldn’t have happened, Doeren added, but wishes those in higher positions sought more input from direct stakeholders.
“It’s kind of backward, staggered. Will they fix that? I don’t know,” Doeren said, noting the program is staying positive about it all. “We’re just trying to bend our knees and be flexible. We’re trying to do the best we can, with what we have, and where we’re at.”
The 12-team College Football Playoff
After a decade with just four teams in the College Football Playoff, the organization decided in 2022 it would expand to 12 teams.
It will feature games at campus sites, before moving to the New Year’s Six bowl games and subsequent title game. N.C. State finished at No. 21 last season after falling to Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl game.
Prior to the bowl, the Wolfpack landed at No. 18 in the rankings, six spots shy of qualifying in an expanded field.
“We’ve got a great team coming back, and (I’m) really excited about the guys on this football team. They’re very close. They’re very motivated,” Doeren said. “I think the changes in college football with a 12-team playoff has helped N.C. State. It’s going to be fun to see where it goes. I can tell you this: There’s a lot of motivation from the teams that have been knocking on the door.”
Who will step up on defense?
Linebacker Payton Wilson earned unanimous All-America honors and recognition as the best defender in the nation. The Wolfpack brought in a number of offensive weapons, but things are less clear on defense.
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Doeren said he’s not going to single anyone out, but there are players who can step into a bigger role come fall. It’s a continual expectation that players can make up the difference when a program loses somebody to graduation, the portal, NFL or injuries.
“The year before, we lost Isaiah Moore and Drake Thomas, two great linebackers that went to the NFL, and Payton picked up this game. That made a difference,” Doeren said. “I don’t know who that will be, but I look forward to watching it. We’ve got time to see that, and there’s a bunch of guys excited about that.”
The Wolfpack opens its season at home on Aug. 29 against Western Carolina. It plays Tennessee the following week at the Duke’s Mayo Classic in Charlotte on Sept. 7, exactly seven months from Wednesday.
