The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/470359
22 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK FOOTBALL COACH DAVE DOEREN RECEIVES TWO-YEAR EXTENSION NC State signed football head coach Dave Doeren to a two-year contract extension Feb. 20, taking him through December 2019. Doeren received an increase in his annual guaranteed compensation from $1.8 million to $2.2 million. Do- eren continues to have opportunities to earn additional compensation through an enhanced bonus structure for academic and competitive achievement. "When we hired Coach Doeren we realized he had the vision and commitment to elevate our program," NC State athletic director Debbie Yow said. "He is an outstanding leader, is committed to building a cham- pionship-level program the right way, and positively impacts the lives of our student-athletes. We look forward with anticipation to what he and his staff will do over the next several years." Doeren also has the opportunity to earn additional contract years based on competitive achievement. "My family and I are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of NC State, and for the tremendous support we've received from Chancellor [Randy] Woodson, Athletic Director Debbie Yow and the entire Wolfpack Nation," Doeren said. "From an outstanding coaching staff to visible prog - ress in adding and maintaining the best facilities, we have so much momentum right now, and I'm excited for the future of NC State football." Doeren guided NC State to an 8-5 season in 2014, capped by a resounding 34-27 victory over UCF in the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl. The Wolfpack won four of five games down the stretch, including a 35-7 victory at North Carolina to close out the regular season. The five-game improvement for the Wolfpack in 2014 was the second-biggest increase in victories in the nation among all power five conference programs. BACKUP OFFENSIVE LINEMAN COLE BLANKENSHIP DEPARTS PROGRAM Redshirt freshman backup interior offensive lineman Cole Blankenship has elected to give up playing his last three years of college football. The 6-2, 287-pounder from Mocksville (N.C.) Davie County High, was part of NC State's class of 2013. He enrolled early that spring, and was a backup at center and guard. Blankenship didn't play during his redshirt freshman season. Rivals.com rated Blankenship a three-star prospect coming out of high school. NC State was Blankenship's first scholarship offer, and he quickly verbally commit - ted April 24, 2012. SOFTBALL COACH RECEIVES EXTENSION NC State softball head coach Shawn Rychcik signed a two-year extension to lead the Wolfpack through 2019. Rychcik is currently in his third year at NC State, having guided the Wolfpack to back-to-back NCAA appearances, and the 2013 ACC Tournament cham- pionship. "Shawn has proven to be a great leader for our softball program, and the results speak for themselves," NC State athletic director Debbie Yow said. "He has a vision to make this a championship-caliber program, his student-athletes perform well in the classroom and on the field, and we look forward to his continued leadership." Rychcik's squads went 71-38-1 over his first two seasons in Raleigh, reaching the NCAA Regional Final each of his two years. "My family and I are extremely grateful to NC State for the support and opportunity to continue to lead this program," Rychcik said. "We're building a strong foundation here, and I'm very excited for what's ahead for NC State softball." Rychcik's first NC State squad went 35-20-1, capped by a victory over Florida State in the title game of the ACC Tournament. Rychcik became the only first-year head coach in ACC softball history to direct a team to the title in his/her initial campaign. His second squad finished with a 36-18 mark, the fourth-most wins in school history, and the fewest losses in program history. TREVOR LACEY IS A FINALIST FOR JERRY WEST AWARD NC State redshirt junior Trevor Lacey has been named one of 16 finalists for the Jerry West Award, which recognizes the top shooting guard in college basketball. The Jerry West Award is sponsored by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Lacey, a 6-3 redshirt junior from Huntsville, Ala., has been NC State's on- court leader and one of the top players in the ACC this season. Lacey was averaging 16.4 points per game, good for sixth in the ACC, through Feb. 23. He was among the league leaders in four other cat - egories. He stood fourth in minutes played (36.0 per game), fifth in three-point field goal percentage (.412), seventh in three-pointers made (2.3 per game) and 10th in field-goal percentage (.459). Lacey had recorded seven games with 20 or more points. He scored 21 points in NC State's win over then-No. 2. Duke in January, which resulted in him earning an ACC Player of the Week honor. The list of 16 finalists for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year award will be narrowed down to five in early March. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Mr. West and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2015 Jerry West Award will be presented at the new ESPN College Basketball Awards Show April 10 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. ■ Red And White Notebook Softball head coach Shawn Rychcik guided the Wolfpack to a 71-38-1 mark in his first two seasons at NC State. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS