NC State fired Dave Doeren after 14 seasons, opening its first football coaching search since 2012. James Madison coach Billy Napier is among the reported candidates: He has the Dukes at 7-1 in his first season and brings prior success at Louisiana, though his Florida tenure ended with a losing record. The full candidate list—and the identity of a coach described as a risky, potentially high-NIL-revenue option—was not disclosed.

By the Numbers
  • Doeren leaves with a 98-74 record, four bowl wins and no conference titles.
  • NC State was 3-4 when Doeren was fired.
  • Napier is 69-36 as a head coach, with a 3-2 bowl record; JMU is 7-1 this season.
  • Napier went 22-23 at Florida and had three double-digit-win seasons at Louisiana.
Yes, But

Napier has demonstrated success at Louisiana and made a strong start at JMU, but his Florida record raises questions about whether he can deliver sustained results at a higher-profile program.

Bottom Line

NC State is seeking a coach who can move the program beyond the ACC’s middle tier; Napier is one intriguing possibility, but the available information doesn’t reveal the full field or a clear front-runner.