NC State quarterback CJ Bailey met with the media to discuss the coaching change, his confidence in interim head coach Todd Goebbel, his leadership role over the final five games, and much more.
NOTE: Click on the video above to watch the full press conference!
How did you guys find out the move was being made, and what was your initial reaction to the news?
Coach Doeren called me and talked to me about everything.
I handled it well. He handled it well.
The team found out, and he came in and said a few words.
You’ve been a leader throughout the season, but how much did you feel the need to step up even more when you walked into the room with the other players after the coaching change?
We’ve been through a lot this offseason and throughout this season.
My leadership has been tested this year.
A lot has been going on: crazy games, coaching changes, whatever the case may be.
But this is definitely the week for me and the guys to step up, bring the energy, and take the program to another level.
This is a big moment for the team, and everyone is watching to see what we do.
I’m coming in every day strong-minded and ready to work.
What has Coach Goebbel brought to the team since taking over as interim head coach?
He’s brought complete leadership.
He’s owned his role. He’s grateful for the role, and he’s all in.
He’s helping us however he can.
We can go speak to Coach Goebbel about anything, and he’ll be there for us.
He made that clear from the jump.
He’s very transparent.
He’ll tell us anything on the spot, and he won’t sugarcoat anything.
That’s what I like about him.
He’s going to bring a lot to the table over these next five weeks.
Have you guys discussed any team goals for these final five weeks?
The biggest thing is focusing on one day at a time.
I spoke with the leadership council about this.
Every time we focus on the bigger picture, dream big, and think about an ACC championship or winning five games straight, everything can come down on you.
I challenged those guys to think about having the best Tuesday.
Think about having the best Wednesday.
Just be in the present.
We’re in the present, not moving too far forward or rushing through life, because that’s when everything can come down on you.
You talked during the offseason about other programs trying to get you to leave NC State and how Coach Doeren and Coach Roper poured so much into you and were major reasons you stayed. How difficult is it to see Coach Doeren leave, and how important is it to finish the season strong for him?
It is very tough.
But as I said, it’s a “so what, now what” mentality.
I wholeheartedly believe in Coach Roper and Coach Goebbel, and I still believe in Coach Doeren.
It’s always about thinking positively, not negatively.
Always think positively about whatever situation you’re in because once you start thinking negatively, everything starts to go into shambles.
As long as I keep a positive mindset, put God first, and trust in faith, it will work out for the team and me.
We have to keep moving forward.
That’s the biggest thing.
You have coaches in the building like Kurt Roper, Joker Phillips, and Ruffin McNeill who have been doing this for decades. How much will you lean on their experience?
We’ve leaned on their experience since Day 1, but we’ll need them now more than ever.
Those guys have been through it all.
They’ve been through coaching changes.
Probably every coach in the building has faced a coaching change or a tough situation.
They’ll talk about what’s going on and how they can keep things on track.
I trust their word, and I trust those guys.
The whole team is leaning on our coaching staff and on each other right now.
It’s still one path, one goal.
That’s what we are, a team.
What was Coach Doeren’s message to the team when he said goodbye? Was he emotional? Was the team emotional?
Of course everybody was emotional.
He was definitely emotional about leaving.
He’s been here for 14 years.
Who wouldn’t be emotional?
We love this place, and he’s been here for that long.
There were a lot of emotions, especially with the team and the players.
But his message to us was definitely to win these five games.
Go in and try your best to win these five games for him.
That’s what he wants.
Nothing less, nothing more.
Did Coach Doeren's phone call surprise you? Did you have any sense that this was coming, and how long did it take you to process it?
It was a shocker.
I didn't think it would happen during the season.
It was unbelievable to me.
I really didn’t think that would happen.
But once it settled in, it became, “What’s the next good thing to do? What’s the next positive thing I can do for my guys and the team?”
That’s the mindset I came in with the next day.
With everything that has happened, what version of the Wolfpack can NC State fans expect to see against Cal?
The best version of ourselves.
It’s going to be a complete team, and everyone will be up for it.
As I said, we’ve talked as a team about how we’ll attack every day.
This game will be one of those games where we put the world on notice again.
All eyes are on us.
We’re going to show the world we’re still a team that can compete at a high level.
We’re game-planning for Cal, and we’re looking forward to winning that game on Saturday.
Coming off two difficult losses, what would a win over Cal do for the team, the locker room, and the new-look coaching staff?
It would do a lot.
It would definitely keep us together and show that we can do anything we put our minds to.
Winning this game would keep the confidence up.
None of our guys have lost confidence, but winning always keeps us up and together.
I really see us doing that and staying together as a team going into next week.
It’s human nature for players and coaches to look ahead to next season. How do you view your future at NC State right now?
I’m just worried about tomorrow.
That’s the biggest thing.
I started off by saying I’m worried about Tuesday, having the best Tuesday and having the best Wednesday.
I’m not really thinking about the future right now.
I’m game-planning for Cal with Coach Roper, and our goal is to win one game at a time, week to week.
We always talk about it being week to week.
Emotions get high. Emotions get low.
We always have to stay the same.
We’re quarterbacks.
That’s my goal.
