Recapping NC State’s 2026 ACC Kickoff

Dave Doeren’s opening statement at ACC Kickoff was a Dabo-esque six minutes in duration, but he did warn everyone.

You guys are going to be really sad that you give me a microphone (smiling).

Okay, well let’s just see how long it takes for that to—

Four score and 14 years ago I got hired here (laughter).

Oh, right away then. Dave wound through a variety of different topics during that statement—even managed a reference to the Carolina Hurricanes—before turning things over to the media for questions, which immediately delivered the moment of the day:

Q. I want to talk about the way your season ended last year. You rebounded nicely by winning out the way you did. When you look at the fact that you said a mouthful during your opening statement where you don’t want to finish second anymore, how much would it be important for you to not only win an ACC title but get to 10 wins? Talk about some of the new guys you brought in that will take a 7-5 record to get it to where you want to go.

DAVE DOEREN: What’s the question?

Dave’s face during this entire rambling bit of nonsense was truly priceless. (See here.) Also, I have no idea who that guy is; does anyone know who that guy is? CJ Bailey’s decision not to transfer elsewhere was a frequent topic, of course:

Q. When you look at going through your history, your journey, collegiately, quarterbacks have been jumping into the portal and finding other homes every other season. You’ve stayed committed to NC State? Why the Wolfpack, one goal mentality?

CJ BAILEY: NC State is a different place. It’s a different place for me. It’s home for me.

Throughout my whole process of the recruiting or whatever the case may be, they were loyal to me. Coach Doeren was loyal to me. Coach Roper, they poured into me. It’s only right I give it back to those guys.

Sometimes I often think, even though it was off-season, I was thinking like, Why would I go anywhere else to learn a new offense, build a new relationship with other people when I got a good home right now, right here? They going to prepare me for the next level.

I’m ready to win with those guys, so…

He makes a good point about the system—his goal obviously is to be in the NFL next year, and having the same structure in place at NC State, where he’s already comfortable, puts him in an excellent position to improve his play and set himself up well for next April. His choice to stay in Raleigh was made with the big picture in mind, and so getting a little more money to play elsewhere in 2026 ultimately wasn’t compelling enough for him.