New Coach +Addendums

NC State is looking for a new Head Football Coach.

So, how did Major Tom O'Brien, USMC (ret.), a well respected coach, who ran a squeaky clean program and who had a winning season record of 7 and 5 with a bowl game coming up get fired?

First - we always seem to have roller coaster seasons. Winning games we shouldn't - and more frustrating - losing (many more) games we should win. This year - we were all hyped as being a potential 10 -2 or 9 - 3 team.

Instead, we lose big (almost a shut out - at home even) to last place Virginia. We lose to Miami. We lost our opening game to Tennessee (who just fired their coach after posting a losing season). We actually 'lost' to Maryland - but their last second chip shot field goal hit the upright - but make no mistake - we 'lost' that game. We won (in my opinion) against Florida State because of poor play calling by the FSU offense late in the 4th quarter.

Frankly, switch the Maryland and FSU games to losses (like they should have been) and we're 5 and 7. Which is prettly much how we looked to me this year. Instead, we barely have a wining season at 7 - 5. Just one win above breaking even.

Sure - we beat Florida State ranked #3 at the time. So what? Having an overall crappy mediocre program with the occasional upset win is what we want?

No!

I did a little research.

NC State has had 3 coaches over the past 20 years. All 3 were fired.

Mike O'Cain is remembered as a nice guy who ran a lousy program. Chuck Amato started off strong but then crashed and burned - wining three games his last season and was fired. Tom O'Brien is thought of as a modest success - just not good enough to take us to the next level.

But - let's look at the numbers.

MO'C - 7 seasons - 41 - 40 overall and 26 - 30 ACC. That's a 51% winning record. Average to say the least.

CA - 7 seasons - 49 - 37 overall and 25 - 31 ACC. That's a 57% winning record. Slightly better than average - but not by much.

TO'B - 6 seasons - 40 - 35 overall and 22 - 26 ACC. That's 53%. Pretty damn average.

And notice - all three had even worse, losing ACC records. Not going to win any Division or ACC Championships by losing conference games. Beating up on Division II teams does not count anymore.

So, the truth is, Tom O'Brien was about the same as Mike O'Cain. And actually worse than Chuck the Chest.

Ergo - we are looking for a new football coach.

Addendum

New Coach is Dave Doeren. I'm very pleased. It's a solid hire with a ton of potential.

Addendum 2

Dave Doreren's Northern Illinois Huskies are going to the Orange Bowl to play Florida State. FSU better be ready or the Huskies will chew them up.

In his second year - our new coach takes a mid-major team to a BCS Bowl.

Granted - NIU was in great shape when Doeren took over. Given the opportunity, he took a good situation and took that team to the next level. In a nutshell - that's what TO'B failed to do.

NC State is going to the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Memphis on December 31st. I will be be going to the basketball game at the PNC on December 31st. The football game starts at noon - the basketball game at 1300. Hopefully, the basketball game will be delayed a bit till after the Bowl Game.

Here's a nice little video. During the 2012 Northern Illinois Spring Game they put a microphone on Coach Doeren. The man clearly enjoys his job.