NC State Spring Camp Takeaways: Dave Doeren Shares Insights

RALEIGH — There's a different sense of confidence with NC State football as the team steams through its spring practices ahead of a closed-door scrimmage to wrap up the first portion of the offseason. For head coach Dave Doeren, a lot of the shift stems from the fact that there is more stability within the program in 2026 than there was a year ago.

Now in his 14th season, Doeren feels like there's meat on the bone in his Wolfpack career. The way this group has practiced, as well as the strong contribution from returning quarterback CJ Bailey, has given the veteran coach reason to believe that this team could be capable of more special things than usual at NC State.

Alignment between coach and quarterback

Oct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Bailey's decision to return to NC State didn't seem to surprise Doeren all that much. The pair grew tight throughout the quarterback's freshman and sophomore seasons, building a sense of trust and shared values during that time. Bailey indicated that his return was largely built on a reciprocal love between himself and the Wolfpack as a whole, as well as Doeren. That feeling was shared by his coach.

"He's a special young man for a lot of reasons," Doeren said about Bailey. "He and I have very similar thoughts on this. He came here to leave this place better than he found it, so for him, there's meat on the bone. I feel the same way."

Nov 15, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren watches from the sideline against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The familial culture established by NC State is something Doeren takes great pride in helping build. There is a sense of home for current and former Wolfpack players when they come to Raleigh, which Bailey embraced wholeheartedly over the last two seasons with the program.

"There's that competitive juice that he has to put NC State in another place," Doeren said. "For him, that's a legacy item that's meaningful. The fan base has embraced him and his family and done a lot of really nice things, how they treat them, how they talk to them, and that's meaningful. As a player, when you know your family shows up and people welcome them, it's a good feeling."

Commitment to building in different ways

Nov 1, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren during the first quarter at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

NC State is investing in Doeren and the football program in different ways, away from the football field and roster-building budget. Athletic director Boo Corrigan secured some financial support from a member of the Wolfpack Club, which helped the school make massive improvements to the football team's dining hall in the Murphy Center. For Doeren, it's equally important to the financial support for securing players.

"It's critical that you do both and that room in particular is one of the most important, not talked about rooms in a football building," Doeren said. "When you're talking about a 20-year old kitchen... The chefs are kind of limited. We always poll these things on what we can do better for you. One of the common themes is the variety of food... Developing players, nutrition is a massive piece of that."

Difference in coaching in the portal era

The portal era has changed the outlook on things for a lot of college coaches. Doeren took some time to adjust to the different coaching style required during offseasons to help get new players up to speed, but he seems to be embracing it now. With all three coordinators retained, the continuity has improved things, but there are still different aspects to it in the modern era.

"You're definitely coaching everybody like they don't know what they're doing more because you don't have as many returning players," Doeren said. "I don't know that you're coaching more. I think what you're doing is a little different. You're taking a junior or senior and treating him like a freshman because he's just now learning... whatever it is."