NC State football shakeup: Defensive coordinator DJ Eliot fired one day after Doeren ouster :: WRAL.com

NC State’s coaching shakeup continued Sunday with the firing of defensive coordinator DJ Eliot, a day after the firing of head coach Dave Doeren.

Eliot’s firing follows continued defensive struggles, particularly against the pass, as the Wolfpack failed to consistently slow down opposing offenses over the past two seasons.

General manager Andy Vaughn was also fired Saturday.

Through the first six games of 2026, NC State ranked 104th nationally in defense, allowing 27.7 points per game. In 2025, the Wolfpack has allowed 411.9 yards per game, ranking 109th nationally. The defense particularly struggled against the pass, giving up 273.2 passing yards per game last season.

The changes came after a disappointing 31-28 loss at Stanford on Friday night that dropped the Wolfpack to 3-4 on the season.

Doeren, the school’s all-time leader in coaching wins with 98, was in his 14th season in Raleigh.

Stanford entered Friday night’s game averaging 18.3 points per game and ranked 127th nationally in offensive scoring. The Cardinal built leads of 14-0 and 28-14 and never trailed.

Eliot was hired on December 31, 2024 to replace Tony Gibson, who left to become head coach at Marshall. While Gibson primarily used a 3-3-5 defensive formation, Eliot used a more multiple scheme incorporating 3-4 and four fronts to attempt to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Eliot’s daughter Drue died during the 2025 season at age 18. She was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, when she was 12 years old.

Charlton Warren will handle defensive playcalling for the remainder of the season, according to an NC State spokesperson. Zac Roper will coach the running backs and coordinate the special teams.

Todd Goebbel, the team’s running backs coach and special teams coordinator, will serve as interim head coach following Doeren’s firing.

NC State (3-4 overall, 1-3 ACC) hosts Cal (3-5, 2-3) Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.