Dave Doeren Fired: Top NC State Coaching Candidates Ranked from Charles Huff to Philip Rivers

NC State fired longtime head coach Dave Doeren on Saturday, ending a tenure that brought consistent bowl appearances but no ACC championships. The Wolfpack now begins a high-stakes search for a replacement capable of elevating the program in the expanded ACC. Among the early names to watch are Marshall head coach Charles Huff, a former Alabama and Penn State assistant known for recruiting and player development, and Philip Rivers, the legendary NC State quarterback and current high school coach in Alabama, whose candidacy would generate immense fan excitement despite no college coaching experience. Other potential candidates include Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, Liberty’s Jamey Chadwell, and Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. The hire matters because NC State has invested heavily in facilities and NIL infrastructure, but has not won an ACC title since 1979. The next coach must recruit at a top-25 level and win marquee games to justify the program’s ambitions in a conference now featuring Clemson, Florida State, and Miami. The search will be closely watched, as a bold or unexpected choice could reshape the Wolfpack’s trajectory for years to come.