The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532241
MARCH/APRIL 2025 ■ 31 BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN G avin Locklear was enjoying a De- cember day on the golf course with a group of friends when his phone rang. After he took the call from Dave Doeren, Locklear continued to ride the golf cart, but his mind was elsewhere. He may have only swung his clubs five times for the entire 18-hole round. Locklear had earned a promotion. Doeren named him the Wolfpack's tight ends coach on Dec. 30, another step up the ladder for the former NC State walk-on wide receiver. Locklear is now the youngest position coach on the Pack's staff, and he doesn't take that for granted. "It's such a blessing," he said. "I've come a long way from walking on here at NC State. To me, it's all about hard work. It means the world to me." Locklear began his tenure in Raleigh by earning a scholarship ahead of the 2016 season. He ended up logging 12 re- ceptions for 107 yards during the three seasons in which he saw the field. After wrapping up his playing career, he got into coaching at the bottom of the hierarchy as an unpaid volunteer as- sistant with the Pack before eventually serving as a graduate assistant and then a quality control coach. I t's i n c rea s i n g ly ra re fo r yo u n g coaches to remain with the same pro- gram and patiently wait for their chance to rise up the ranks, but that's what the Apex, N.C., native did, and he's grateful for the opportunity he's been given to take charge of a position room. "It's unbelievable," Locklear said. "It's something that you dream of. A lot of coaches would love to coach at their alma mater, and I have the ability to do that. I don't take that lightly." Locklear is the latest former Wolf- pack player to earn a full-time coaching role on Doeren's staff. The veteran head coach, who is entering his 13th season in Raleigh, seems to take pride in having a crop of former players in the build- ing, teaching the next generation of NC State players. "Gavin has been a positive addition to our program since the first day he walked on and has done a great job on our staff," Doeren said. "I love being able to give former players the opportu- nity to work at their alma mater, and I'm looking forward to watching his career continue with the Wolfpack." Locklear said his background helps him connect with the players he's coaching. "I tell all these guys, I've been in your shoes," he said. "I've done all the things you're going through. I've been a part of those workouts, those fall camps, those spring practices. Just being able to relate to those guys on that level [is impor- tant], because at the end of the day, this game is not easy." While Locklear is just six years re- moved from his own graduation, his consistent presence in the Murphy Center as a staff member prepared him for this moment. He's not green in the coaching world, even if this is his first full-time on-field coaching role. NC State offensive coordinator Kurt Roper said that since he joined the staff in 2019, he's been watching Locklear's profile rise. "He's passionate about NC State, and he's passionate about coaching foot- ball," Roper said. "He brings a lot of en- ergy to the football field. … He's got a lot of experience, maybe not as a full-time coach, but he's been coaching a lot of football for a long time. We're fortunate to have him on the staff. We're fortunate to get his energy and passion about NC State." Having spent the past half decade in the building, Locklear has been able to watch and learn from several Wolf- pack assistants through the years. He thought that was important in helping mold him into who he is today. "I've learned so much. I've been around here for a long time," Locklear said. "I've tried to take a little bit of ev- erything from everybody that I've come in contact with. At the end of the day, your coaching philosophy is what it is, but it's never something that you design on your own." Locklear will now get to lead a tight ends group that is paced by standout senior Justin Joly, who caught 43 passes for 661 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. The opportunity means a lot to the assistant coach. "It's a dream come true," Locklear said. "I'm extremely appreciative of Coach [Doeren] for giving me this op- portunity." ■ A former wide receiver and graduate assistant at NC State, Locklear was promoted to a position-coaching role in December. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL Gavin Locklear Is Eager To Take Charge Of NC State's Tight Ends