NC State football has shown incredible improvement and success in the last five years. A large number of players going to the NFL draft as well as an appearance in the 2018 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl has put the Pack on the national stage.
Under head coach Dave Doeren, the program has turned around and has a bright future ahead of it with talented recruiting classes coming in. Players, past and current, recognize how much Doeren has turned around the mentality.
“A lot of people overlook where this program started at when coach Doeren first got here and where it’s at now,” running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr. said after the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. “Now we are one of the teams that’s able to be in the ‘talk’. Before it really wasn’t, so this program is progressing and progressing and progressing.”
Following the 2018-19 season, offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz was hired as the new head coach at Appalachian State. Not only does this speak volume on the job Drinkwitz has done but also the job Doeren has done with his staff.
“My family and I are excited to embrace and build upon the proud tradition of Appalachian State Football,” Drinkwitz told Appalachian State athletics. “I am thankful to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Everts, Doug Gillin and the entire App Nation for the opportunity to be the head coach at this great university.”
NC State will certainly miss him and the offensive success he has brought to Raleigh the last couple of years. Just days earlier another piece of the offense left when offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford left for the offensive coordinator position at Louisville.
Sending coordinators to other schools, especially successful programs like Louisville and Appalachian State is a huge accomplishment for Doeren and for NC State football. It is certainly something that comes along with building a good team year after year.
If you take a look at one of the top teams in college football, Alabama, the coaching turnover is one of the highest in the country. Head coach Nick Saban is one of the greatest college football coaches ever, easily apparent in how quickly he sends his coordinators to other schools.
On the opposite side, success has brought in new coaching talent to Doeren’s staff. West Virginia assistant Tony Gibson has joined NC State as a co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
“I’m excited that Tony Gibson will now be a part of our program,” Doeren said. “He brings a wealth of experience as a defensive backs coach, a defensive coordinator and as a strong recruiter and mentor. He’s known for getting his players to play hard and has a great reputation not only with his former players but with the high schools where he’s recruited.”
NC State also replaced Ledford with former Florida Atlantic assistant coach John Garrison but lost Ted Roof, who served as NC State’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach this season. Roof will work under Drinkwitz at Appalachian State as defensive coordinator.
NC State football hopes to continue success in the coming years to capitalize on good recruiting classes. Although, the Pack will miss coaches that are moving off to a better opportunity, new coaches coming in should shine light on the future.
