After the disappointing loss to Virginia Tech, the NC State fan base has been angry over Dave Doeren’s leadership of the program.
RALEIGH — NC State endured one of the most shocking defeats of the Dave Doeren era, falling at home to Virginia Tech inside Carter-Finley Stadium. The Hokies, coached by interim leader Philip Montgomery, came in as heavy underdogs and were short-handed after multiple player departures.
While Doeren has faced setbacks before and bounced back, this one sparked a different kind of frustration. Wolfpack fans, who consistently pack the stadium, erupted in anger after the loss, taking to social media to vent about the team’s direction under his leadership.
Now in his 13th season at NC State, Dave Doeren appears nearer to the finish line of his coaching career than the start — something he’s openly acknowledged. At his Monday press conference, the longtime head coach addressed the mounting criticism, but his comments only fueled further questions about whether he can elevate the Wolfpack into a true ACC contender.
Doeren Answers Back
Dropping consecutive games to conference foes was bound to frustrate fans, but the mood surrounding NC State shifted noticeably after the loss to Virginia Tech. When asked about the growing chatter regarding his job and the program’s direction, Doeren offered a candid response.
Doeren’s Full Quote
“Outside of press conferences, I don’t really notice the so-called noise. I know it’s out there—it’s just the way things work today—but I don’t pay attention to it. My focus is on our players and what happens inside this program. Beyond being a husband and father, my main responsibility is recruiting and preparing this team to win. It’s not my job to listen to outside opinions about our program, but to do everything I can to help these guys succeed. That’s the same message I share with them.”
“Tough times reveal who your true friends are. Everyone goes through challenges, and that’s when you learn who’s really loyal. It’s important to shut out the negativity—don’t read it, don’t focus on it. Instead, control what you can and stay close to people who are trying to grow the same way you are. That’s my advice, not just for our players, but for anyone: keep a circle of friends who support your growth.”
“Don’t pay attention to opinions or advice you never asked for. Nobody’s logging onto social media looking for strangers to tell them how to live, so why worry about it? It’s easy for people to cheer for us when we’re winning and then turn on us when we lose—but that’s not loyalty. Our loyalty is to the players and coaches here, and we’re going to fight hard together. That’s the message, and the players understand it too.”
“That’s how sports work—college and pro. After Alabama lost in Week 1, people were ready to call them the worst team in football. Now they’ve gone on a winning streak and everyone has them in the top 10. It’s always about ‘what have you done lately.’ I get it—we’ve dropped two straight, so that’s how people see us. Our job now is to get back to playing better.”
Portions of Doeren’s comments quickly spread on social media, fueling further criticism. While the coach remains unfazed by individual remarks, he’s clearly frustrated by the fan base’s reaction to the loss itself.
After Saturday’s game, Doeren emphasized his respect for Virginia Tech as a strong football program. The Hokies came into the matchup with three losses—two to SEC teams, South Carolina and Vanderbilt, and a third at home to Old Dominion, a defeat so severe it led to Brent Pry’s dismissal in Blacksburg.
There’s also worry that, although Doeren has turned the program around before, 2025 may not be one of those years. While the Week 6 matchup against Campbell is expected to be a straightforward win at home, the schedule becomes much tougher afterward. Three of NC State’s final six opponents are currently ranked, including the No. 3 Miami Hurricanes. The Wolfpack will certainly compete hard, but whether they can reach bowl eligibility—and in turn bolster Doeren’s job security—remains uncertain.
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