The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
36 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 BY JACEY ZEMBAL T he NC State football program has put last year's 3-9 season behind it and is optimistic for success this fall, thanks to its second-year coaching staff being more familiar with their players and an influx of young talent. NCSU second-year head coach Dave Doeren welcomes back 14 starters and is excited about the arrival of redshirt junior quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a Florida transfer and former Rivals.com four-star prep prospect. Brissett should improve the offense, and the coaches now know what to expect from the players, and vice versa. "I know these guys, and they know me and they know our system, our terminolo- gies, our expectations," Doeren said. "We know their limitations better. Just being to- gether and going through what we did this year, there is a lot of respect and trust from the things we have been through." "We are so far ahead of last year," NCSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada said. "The system has obviously been in place for a year. Our players understand our ex- pectations. We understand our players. It is a two-way street." Defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable noticed similar improvements with his players. "I'm very optimistic. In my mind, it was leaps and bounds better," Huxtable said. "I think our football IQ has increased, and our toughness got better." NC State offensive line coach Mike Ure- movich pointed out that instead of just talk- ing at his linemen, he is now interacting with them. They are more willing to ask Bounce-Back Season Familiarity And A New Quarterback Should Help NC State Win More Games This Fall Head coach Dave Doeren welcomes back 14 starters from last year's 3-9 team, and he is excited about the gains his players have made in the offseason program. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 36-37.FB Team Overview.indd 36 6/27/14 12:04 PM