NC State Fires Defensive Coordinator DJ Eliot After Doeren Ouster

North Carolina State University fired defensive coordinator DJ Eliot on Sunday, just one day after dismissing longtime head football coach Dave Doeren following a 31-28 road loss at Stanford that dropped the Wolfpack to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in ACC play.

NC State Fires Coaches After Stanford Loss

Athletic director Boo Corrigan moved swiftly to restructure leadership following a 31-28 defeat against the Cardinal in Stanford, California. The loss served as the tipping point for a 14-year tenure under Dave Doeren, who finished with a program-record 98 victories. Doeren struggled to sustain momentum in Atlantic Coast Conference play, finishing with a 52-57 conference mark.

Just one day after Doeren’s ouster, the athletic department confirmed that defensive coordinator DJ Eliot was also relieved of his duties. General manager Andy Vaughn was fired alongside the coaching staff changes on Saturday. Frustration mounted over defensive lapses. The unit ranked 104th nationally in scoring defense by allowing 27.7 points per game through the first six games of 2026 according to local reporting. During the 2025 campaign, the unit surrendered 411.9 yards per contest to rank 109th nationally. Opponents passed for 273.2 yards per game. Eliot was initially hired on December 31, 2024, replacing Tony Gibson after he departed to become the head coach at Marshall. While Gibson favored a 3-3-5 alignment, Eliot implemented a multiple defensive scheme utilizing 3-4 and four-man fronts to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

I want to thank Coach Doeren for his service and contributions to NC State, and for always representing the university with pride. I appreciate his leadership during his 14-year tenure and the passion he brought to this role. We wish Dave, Sara and his family the best in the future.

Boo Corrigan, Athletic Director

Doeren’s 14 seasons in Raleigh produced 11 bowl appearances. These featured five consecutive postseason trips from 2014 through 2018, alongside four nine-win campaigns and three AP Top 25 finishes. The program achieved eight victories in four consecutive seasons spanning from 2020 through 2024. Off the field, Doeren engaged actively in local community life, participating at a regional church and supporting inclusivity initiatives focused on disabled and neurodivergent individuals.

Goebbel Takes Over Interim Head Coaching Duties

Running backs coach and special teams coordinator Todd Goebbel steps into the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Goebbel has been on the Wolfpack staff since 2019 and will guide the team through its remaining five games.

On the defensive side, Charlton Warren takes over defensive play-calling responsibilities for the rest of the year. Zac Roper will handle running backs and coordinate special teams following the organizational shifts. The interim staff faces a quick turnaround ahead of an upcoming home matchup against Cal, which stands at 3-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play, at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The Wolfpack roster transition also involves player retention following a major offseason commitment to starting quarterback CJ Bailey. Bailey posted 3,105 passing yards with a 69 percent completion rate, totaling 31 touchdowns and recording the second-best QBR in the conference at 78.1 as a sophomore. However, his production dipped slightly after throwing for 3,105 yards with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions the prior year. The team’s early 2026 struggles included additional setbacks against Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest.

Rivers Emerges as Early Candidate in Coaching Search

University leadership initiates a national search for a permanent head coach. Former star quarterback Philip Rivers has emerged as a prominent figure in early discussions. Rivers briefly came out of retirement to play for the Indianapolis Colts near the end of the 2025 campaign and has coached St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, since 2021.

Industry sources indicate Rivers has risen near the top of early consideration. Appointing a candidate without prior collegiate coaching experience would require a major leap of faith from athletic department officials and major boosters. Other external candidates mentioned across coaching circles include New Mexico’s Jason Eck, Memphis coach Charles Huff, James Madison coach Billy Napier, and Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann.

Reactions around campus reflect a mix of shock over the midseason timing and enthusiasm for a clean slate. Student and fan responses showed a desire for fresh energy in Raleigh as supporters weighed potential candidates to revitalize the program under a newly expanded 24-team playoff format.

More on this story: Colorado State Fires Defensive Coordinator Tyson Summers Mid-Game

More on Defensive Coordinator: Raheem Morris Returns to Atlanta as 49ers Defensive Coordinator