Looking to start strong next season, NC State benefits from returning a talented core. Head coach Dave Doeren acknowledged last year’s letdown despite having a veteran roster and elevated expectations. That admission led to a comprehensive review of leadership across both players and the coaching staff. Doeren didn’t deflect blame, instead viewing the disappointing results as a turning point.
Dave Doeren Embraces Accountability, Focuses on Leadership Growth at NC State
Doeren is facing the aftermath of a disappointing 2024 season with open eyes and full accountability.
In a candid conversation on 99.9 The Fan, Doeren admitted the team “fell short” in leadership development, a core value of his program for years. “That’s on me,” he said, making clear that he accepts personal responsibility for the program’s cultural lapse.
Despite having a veteran-laden roster last season, Doeren pointed to the absence of emergent voices in the locker room following key injuries.
“We had two key injuries to two of our best vocal leaders,” he explained, referencing Kaden Forom and Grayson McCall. “Nobody emerged that was a playmaker with a voice that was willing to take the reins of leading the locker room.”
Doeren acknowledged that in past seasons, leadership depth allowed the team to keep moving forward.
“When Isaiah Moore got injured, Drake Thomas stepped right into that role,” he said. “Last year, that next-in-line didn’t seize it.”
Determined not to repeat that failure, Doeren has taken steps to rebuild the team’s leadership structure. He has been working closely with a core group of players during the offseason,
“I’ve identified some guys that are key components to leading our football team at different position groups,” Doeren said. “Getting them the skill set they need so that if they are the alpha like Kaden, they can succeed in that role. And if Kaden’s not available, someone else can do that for him.”
Even on the lighter side of the trip, Doeren set the tone.
“I’m not saying I’m the greatest fisherman,” he joked. “I’m not. But I’m pretty good at it. I’ve been in that pond a few times. I knew where they were at, what they would eat. They all had their fancy lures… pretty soon they’re like, ‘What are you using?’”
Part of this effort involved getting out of the football facility and into more relaxed settings. Doeren took players on a retreat to a donor’s farm, where they fished, bonded, and reset.
“Sometimes you need to get out of the building with them and go do something that’s more lifelike,” he said. “Let them just cut it loose and have fun.” The setting allowed for a different kind of interaction and leadership cultivation. “I’ve been doing a lot with our leadership team this offseason to build it the right way.”
Doeren, long known for building a culture of camaraderie, was transparent about last year’s shortfall.
“I felt like I didn’t do a good enough job getting the next in line ready,” he said.
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As NC State prepares for the new season, the lessons of 2024 are not being buried. They’re being used for lessons and as a stepping stone.
