ATLANTA (Nov. 3, 2025) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that NC State head football coach Dave Doeren has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Presented by PNC Bank.

The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

Doeren earned this week's honor after guiding NC State to a 48-36 win over No. 8 Georgia Tech on Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium. The victory marked the Wolfpack's highest-ranked win since 2012 and handed the Yellow Jackets their first loss of the season.

Throughout the week, the program's theme was "Loyalty," a word displayed throughout the football facility to serve as a constant reminder of belief and unity in challenging times. That message carried into Saturday's performance as NC State overcame the loss of several key starters, including the ACC's leading rusher Hollywood Smothers, top receiver Justin Joly and two offensive linemen.

Redshirt freshman Duke Scott, making his first career start in place of Smothers, delivered a breakout performance with 196 rushing yards on 24 carriers and a touchdown, adding 11 receiving yards to total 207 yards on the night. Quarterback CJ Bailey was efficient and dynamic throughout the game, completing 24 of 32 passes for 340 yards and three total touchdowns, highlighted by long scoring plays to Terrell Anderson and Teddy Hoffmann. NC State finished with 583 total yards of offense and scored on eight of 10 drives, with six going for touchdowns.

On defense, the Wolfpack contained Georgia Tech's high-powered offense with a fast, physical approach. Four defenders recorded double-digit tackles, including Caden Fordham, who matched his career high with 15 tackles, as NC State's defensive front consistently disrupted the Yellow Jackets' rhythm.

"The way Coach Doeren had his team respond to adversity and play with complete belief is a reflection of true leadership," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "He continues to model the values that define The Dodd Trophy and has built NC State into one of the most consistent programs in the ACC during his time in Raleigh."

Now in his 13th season at the helm, Doeren has built NC State into one of the ACC's most consistent and respected programs by emphasizing the team over the individual – "the Pack over the lone wolf." Since his arrival in 2012, Doeren has cultivated a culture of loyalty, hard work and accountability. Under his leadership, NC State has recorded 87 victories, the most in school history, while posting at least eight wins in six of the last eight seasons. Doeren currently holds the second-longest tenure in the ACC and the sixth-longest in the FBS, a reflection on the sustained success and stability he has brought to Raleigh.

In the classroom, Doeren's commitment to education and personal development remains central to his program's mission. NC State football maintains a 987 Academic Progress Rate and a 77 Graduation Success Rate, underscoring his dedication to excellence in the classroom, as well as on the field.

In the community, Doeren and his family have made a lasting impact on the NC State community through their leadership and philanthropy. Together with his wife, Sara, he established the OnePack Empowered program with a $1.25 million gift, one of the largest ever made by a college coach to his institution. The initiative provides individualized support for students with executive functioning challenges and those who are neurodivergent, helping them build skills in organization, planning and decision-making. Their gift reflects a deep commitment to inclusion, education and opportunity, all of which are values that continue to define Doeren's influence well beyond the field.

Doeren has also participated in the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament 10 times, winning a total of $380,800 for various charities since 2013.
"Coach Doeren has fostered a culture that values perseverance, teamwork and giving back," said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. "Saturday's win over a top-10 opponent shows how belief and preparation can overcome adversity, and it perfectly captures the spirit of The Dodd Trophy."

The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank – along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.

A panel consisting of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2025 season. The winner of the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.