NC State hires Northern Illinois coach Dave Doeren

NC State hired former Northern Illinois' Dave Doeren as its next coach. (Dave Reginek/Getty Images

North Carolina State has hired Northern Illinois' Dave Doeren as its next head football coach, the school announced Saturday.

Doeren replaces Tom O'Brien who was fired after six seasons. Doeren led Northern Illinois to two straight MAC championships, including a victory over Kent State on Friday. The press conference is set for 4:00 pm on Sunday.

Doeren will be paid around $1.8 million a season at N.C. State, according to reports.

"Coach Dave Doeren is a highly motivated overachiever who shares our goals to pursue aggressively a high level of achievement in the classroom and on the field of competition," NC State athletic director Debbie Yow said.

"I am honored and excited to join the Wolfpack. NC State has world-class facilities and fans that are second to none," Doeren said. "I want to thank Chancellor Woodson and Debbie Yow for this tremendous opportunity. My family and I can't wait to get to Raleigh and become Wolfpackers. While I look forward to our future at State."

Doeren was 23-4 overall and 17-1 against MAC opponents in two seasons at the school. Auburn and Purdue also reportedly expressed interest in Doeren.