The Wolfpacker

March-April 2020 issue

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

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34 ■ THE WOLFPACKER SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY MATT CARTER AND JACEY ZEMBAL C State head coach Dave Doeren overhauled his staff during the offseason. Five new assistants were brought in, meaning half the staff will be new. In addition, others changed responsibilities. Tony Gibson, who was the safeties coach and co-defensive coor- dinator in 2019, will now be the sole de- fensive coordinator and coach linebackers. Kurt Roper coached quarterbacks a year ago, but will now handle running backs. Tim Beck is the new offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach. On defense, every coach except Gibson is a newcomer. Brian Mitchell will handle cornerbacks, Joe DeForest safe- ties, alum Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay nickels and Charley Wiles defensive linemen. New Offensive Coordinator Will Implement His System Beck — a 32-year coaching veteran, in- cluding 21 on the college level — will be making one impactful change that will be new for the Wolfpack's players on offense. Doeren has had four offensive coordina- tors or co-offensive coordinators since get- ting hired by the Wolfpack in 2013. When NC State fired Matt Canada and hired Eli Drinkwitz in 2016, the Wolfpack play- ers didn't have to learn new terminology. Drinkwitz adjusted to the language that was already in place. Drinkwitz was then hired as head coach at Appalachian State last year, which he used as a springboard to land the Missouri job this past winter. NC State elected to go with assistants Des Kitchings and George McDonald as co-offensive coordinators. Again, the players didn't have to learn a new terminology and playbook. However, NC State went 4-8 overall and 1-7 in the ACC last year, creating the need to make a change. Enter Beck, who has spent the past nine years as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas (2017-19), Ohio State (2015-16) and Ne- braska (2011-14). Along the way, he has had plenty of suc- cess. The past two years, the Longhorns fea- tured a dynamic attack led by quarterback Sam Ehlinger. In 2019, the junior ranked fourth nationally in total offense, ninth in passing yards and 13th in touchdown passes during the regular season. Beck served as a co-coordinator with the Buckeyes, and helped field one of the top offenses in the nation in 2016 en route to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the Col- lege Football Playoff. OSU ranked 14th in the country in scoring offense (39.4 points per game) and 12th in rushing offense (245.2 yards per game). During his time at Nebraska, Beck was twice (2012 and 2013) a nominee for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach. In his four seasons guid- ing the Huskers' attack, they averaged 33.5 points per game and broke more than 50 individual records on offense. The hope is that a fresh approach with Beck will help the Wolfpack achieve similar success, though it will not be easy at the start. "They are getting all new," Beck said of his offense and terminology. "It had to be [that way]. I think we've been installing it and they are getting a better grasp. I expect some struggles." Beck understands that players will make some mistakes while mastering the new offense. "We'll go the wrong way and run the wrong route," he said. "They'll make the wrong read. Things like that are going to happen. Just go really hard and really fast, N SWEEPING CHANGES The Wolfpack Staff Features Five New Coaches, Including Four On Defense Tim Beck is a 32-year coaching veteran, including 21 on the college level. He has had successful stints as an offensive coordinator at Texas (2017-19), Ohio State (2015-16) and Nebraska (2011-14). PHOTO BY MATT CARTER

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