Every year, it seems the hot seat attached to Dave Doeren at North Carolina State becomes a topic of national interest in college football. This year, the seat might finally be too hot for Doeren to handle.
No, really - this might finally be it
There has been a "this time it's for real" quality to Dave Doeren's tenure at North Carolina State. He has sat on the hot seat multiple times but has been able to pull himself out of trouble at the last instant. However, one can't play that game forever, and it appears the end is finally here. The embarrassing blowout loss to Virginia feels like the final nail in the coffin, or if not that, the third nail setting the stage for the final nail to be driven in later this year.
Long tenure
Dave Doeren has been allowed to stay on at NC State for over a decade.
Just exactly how many more 7-5 or 8-4 seasons make it worth keeping him ... and that preumes NC State will even get seven wins this year, which doesn't seem likely. It's long past time to hand the program to a fresh face with a new vision.
NC State football misery
NC State is one of just four Power Four programs without a New Year's Six/BCS/Bowl Alliance/Bowl Coalition game on its record. South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Rutgers are the other three. NC State needs to make a run at a big goal, and Doeren has had more than his share of chances. It's time. It's simply the end of the road.
CJ Bailey
NC State thought it had a quarterback with a lot of upside going into the 2026 season. CJ Bailey showed faith in Doeren and the State program. The opener against Virginia was a display of atrocious coaching which did not serve Bailey well. That's a core reason NC State has to seek a new man with a new approach. Talent is not being maximized.
Candidates
NC State will certainly be able to choose from some intriguing candidates. Brian Kelly failed at LSU, but a mid-level program such as NC State might actually be a good fit for him. Maybe Luke Fickell gets fired at Wisconsin and can start fresh in Raleigh. Remember: He did take Cincinnati to the playoff. Other head coaches or coordinators could be shaken loose this season, entering the open market. It won't be a terrible time to look for a coach. There's always the smaller-school Curt Cignetti path. NC State can look for an under-the-radar gem. What matters is that it's time for something different. This mess has lasted way too long in Raleigh.
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Dave Doeren's time might finally be up at NC State after latest loss
