The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/644580
50 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY RYAN TICE F ormer NFL offensive lineman Dwayne Ledford had it great at Ap- palachian State. In his fourth year with the program mentoring the of- fensive line and third as the co-offensive coordinator for the run game, the Moun- taineers became the first Sun Belt team ever to win 11 games and set a national record for most victories by a former Foot- ball Championship Subdivision team in its first year as a full-fledged Football Bowl Subdivision member. Despite leading a group that lost 124 ca- reer starts to graduation after the 2014 cam- paign, Ledford's blockers ranked fourth in the FBS in sacks allowed last season (0.85 per contest), and the ground game was sixth in the land with 271.5 yards per contest. The former East Carolina lineman — he played three years on the defensive side before flipping to the offensive line, where he then played in the NFL for seven seasons — coached three front-liners to All-Sun Belt first- or second-team honors last fall. Thanks to the success the Marion, N.C., native was having in Boone, about an hour north of his hometown, Ledford wasn't going to leave his current situation for just any job. According to a report from FootballScoop.com, he even turned down a chance to return to his alma mater before taking the post at NCSU Jan. 14, becoming the Wolfpack's offensive line coach and run game coordinator. "I was at a very good place, we had a very successful season, so it was going to take a really good place, a good situation [to leave]," Ledford explained. "Growing up in this state, I've always admired NC State and its football program. I just always appreciated the passion that the fans had, the setting, the excitement when football season is here. "It was a great opportunity for my wife and I, our family." Ledford got an up-close view of Raleigh and NC State football while his NFL career was winding down. After being released by the San Francisco 49ers — one of five RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME New Offensive Line Coach Dwayne Ledford Found The Perfect Fit In Raleigh