NC State running back Duke Scott met with the media to discuss the coaching change, his confidence in interim head coach Todd Goebbel, his injury recovery, and more.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
What have the conversations been like within the leadership council over the last few days as you try to keep the team together through this process?
They’ve been very productive conversations about our team's future goals.
We’re in a situation that none of us really saw ourselves being in.
We’ve done a great job of setting a goal and setting a plan for the team for the rest of the year.
We have a mission to execute these last five games to the best of our ability.
First, how are you feeling? You’ve been dealing with an injury, so where do you stand on potentially getting back on the field?
I’m feeling really good right now.
I’ve attacked my treatment, and I’m feeling really good.
In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be back.
I’m excited for it. I’m excited to return.
With Todd Goebbel becoming the interim head coach, what have you seen from Zac Roper stepping into the running backs role, and what do you expect from him?
First, I’m very proud that Coach Goebbel was elevated to that role.
He recruited me out of high school, and I have a great relationship with him.
He’s done a great job with us backs, so I’m really happy and proud he's getting this role.
With Zac Roper, the change has been easy.
He’s been under Coach Goebbel, working through special teams and everything, so he knows how Goebbel operates and how to operate our room.
Of course, I’m right there to help him and tie up any loose ends.
The transition hasn’t been hard.
I’m excited for Coach Roper to step into this role and excel.
You’ve been around Coach Goebbel for several years, and he recruited you out of high school. How do you think he’ll handle and embrace the interim head coach role? What strengths does he bring to the position?
If anyone I know would embrace a role like this, it's him.
He's embraced every role he’s had throughout the years.
He does a great job with special teams. He does a great job with us running backs, and he always has production at whatever level he’s at.
I know he’ll do a great job embracing this.
One of his strengths is that he’s detail-oriented.
He keeps us on track and focused on detail, making sure nothing gets skipped.
No detail, no matter how small, is unimportant.
That’s something I think will take him far as a coach.
He also brings energy to the room.
He’s a guy who changes the room.
He wants you to get better, and he makes you want to be a better player.
I’m excited for him.
When you went down, you guys beat Louisville, and you’ve had to watch this last stretch from the sideline. How difficult has that been for you, especially going from the high of that win to where the team is now entering the final five games?
It’s been tough.
More than anything, I wish I was on the field.
I know I can bring production. I know I can contribute.
Not being out there is really the worst part.
As a team, it’s a tough patch.
It’s something we work every day to get better at.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be better.
It’s just something we have to work through.
What did Coach Doeren tell you when he told you what was happening? Is there anything you can share publicly?
A lot of that is going to stay with the team.
But Doeren is a great guy. He’s a great coach.
I’m so thankful for Coach Doeren and everything he’s done for us and this program.
I wish him the best in everything he's doing.
I have nothing but good things to say about him.
I appreciate the opportunity he gave me to be here.
There’s a lot of love for Coach.
How did you find out that Coach Doeren had been let go? Were you surprised or shocked? After the Stanford loss, did the team sense this could happen?
We found out as a team.
I love Coach Doeren.
He’s such a great guy, and I really hate to see him go.
He’s done so much for my family and me.
I hate to see him go.
What do you think Saturday will feel like at Carter-Finley Stadium, with everything that's changed around the program?
Playing the game I love is always a blessing and an honor.
I can’t wait to get back out there.
I know it’ll feel surreal.
We always have a great fan base and a great fan turnout.
Getting out there in front of those fans again always gets me amped for the game.
I really can’t wait to get back.
