What NC State announced
NC State dismissed head football coach Dave Doeren on Saturday, October 24, effective immediately. Athletic director Boo Corrigan announced the decision and thanked Doeren for his 14-year tenure.
The university named running backs coach and special teams coordinator Todd Goebbel interim head coach for the rest of the season. It also announced that a national search for the next head coach would begin immediately.
Sources: NC State — October 24 leadership-change announcement ↗
Who is Todd Goebbel?
Goebbel has worked at NC State since 2019. His university biography lists 2026 as his eighth year with the program and his 28th year in coaching. He previously coached at Marshall, Ohio Dominican and Ohio State, among other stops.
Before coaching, he played quarterback at Kent State and Northern Iowa. His NC State responsibilities initially included tight ends, fullbacks and special teams. The biography lists his running backs role from 2023.
What happened against Stanford?
NC State lost 31–28 at Stanford on Friday, October 23. The school’s game report lists the Wolfpack at 3–4 overall and 1–3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference afterward. The game and the following day’s coaching announcement are separate events.
Quarterback CJ Bailey completed 17 of 30 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He also led NC State with 59 rushing yards. Stanford running back Micah Ford gained 150 yards on 22 carries, according to the Wolfpack’s report.
NC State recovered from a 14–0 deficit to tie the game, but Stanford then scored 14 unanswered points. The Wolfpack’s two fourth-quarter touchdowns were not enough to erase the gap.
What does the staff directory show?
The university’s current football directory lists Goebbel as interim head coach. It lists Kurt Roper as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and DJ Eliot as defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach.
Those published roles describe the staff at verification. They do not establish who will hold those jobs under a future permanent head coach.
Has NC State named a permanent replacement?
The announcement names an interim coach and starts a search. It does not appoint a permanent successor or identify a candidate shortlist. For readers checking reports about Philip Rivers, the university’s statement does not announce his appointment.
The statement also does not give a buyout figure or describe a financial settlement with Doeren.
Sources: NC State — October 24 leadership-change announcement ↗
When does NC State play next?
The team’s schedule lists California at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh on Saturday, October 31, for Homecoming. Duke follows at home on November 7.
NC State’s Stanford game report lists a noon kickoff on ACC Network for the California game.
Sources: NC State — 2026 football schedule ↗ · NC State — official Stanford game report ↗
Prepared with AI assistance. Source-based reporting checked on October 24, 2026. This article does not update automatically. Read our editorial standards.
