Doeren: "It's A Big Relief"

NC State head coach Dave Doeren fielded questions from the media on the Sun Bowl's teleconference.

First, what are your thoughts on coming to El Paso, Texas for the Sun Bowl?
It's actually the second time I've been to that bowl game, but for our team, none of our players have been there.

We're excited anytime we get into the bowl season and get to play a team from a league we don't cross-over against very often.  They've had some really strong wins.  I know coach Graham and coach Bennett, the defensive coordinator, coach Slocum the special teams coordinator, they are going to be a really good football team.

We looked forward to the match up and the good hospitality.

When were you here before? 
When I was at USC as a graduate assistant we played TCU in the Sun Bowl... probably 20 years ago now. 

For you, talk about your week so far, all the stuff leading up to this.
It's been crazy.  

This time of year is crazy anyway, balancing your player's final exam schedules, your bowl practices, your contact visits in recruiting, your official visit weekends, and we had stuff going on here with job interest.  Not a lot of sleep, but it all worked out and ended up where we want to be.

I'm excited about the results of it all. 

What are your first thoughts looking at what Arizona State do?
I'd be giving you false information.  I haven't watch them on film, and I haven't seen them play this year.  

I looked at the stat sheet from the season, the quarterback is playing well it looks like on paper.  They have a 1,000-yard receiver and almost a thousand-yard tailback but I haven't watched a lick of tape yet.

I just found out today where we're going.

Have you addressed the job interest with the team?
I met with our players after it was resolved and told them how excited I was that it was over. I'm excited about the security I have and the opportunity to continue to be with them.  My wife and my kids and I, this is what I wanted, and I know they did.

It's a big relief to have it over with for both sides.  They were happy for me. I know it was a tough 48 hours for them, and it was tough for us as well.

I'm just glad to have it behind us.

Has Bradley Chubb given you any indication of what his plans are with the bowl game?
I talked to Bradley and his family today at our banquet, and we'll spend some time this week at the award shows and talk about it. Nothing has been communicated yet and they are the type of family that talks it through. Whatever is decided, we'll sit down and talk through it, do whatever they feel is best for their son.

He's done everything he can for this football program. We understand he's got a tough decision to make.

If you win this game you'll be ranked in every poll. How much will this set you up for making a run at things next year?
It will get momentum going into the offseason. Finishing in the Top 25 is one of our program goals so that would be a mission accomplished for this year. 

Other than having momentum, I don't think it does anything for you for wins and losses the following season. You have a new team, new schedule, and new opportunities to win or lose. I do like having positive momentum in your offseason program and recruiting because of your bowl game.
 
At what point you guys plan on traveling to El Paso? Do you have an idea yet and how will you balance bowl prep and enjoying the trip.
In the past we've traveled on game-week Tuesday which I think is Christmas Day if I'm not mistaken. I haven't completely put it together yet, we were working on that when I left the office, so I'll have to look at it more tomorrow. 

Usually we leave pretty close to 1:00 or 2:00 o'clock and we try to get there around dinner, have a team meeting, and then let the guys go. We wake up the next day, and it's game-week Wednesday. 

As far as balancing things, we try to keep it as routine as we can. We do our work in the mornings here. We do our work in the morning there and then give the guys the rest of the day to enjoy the bowl site.

Have you ever been in a situation where you facing another coach in his last game for a school?
I don't think I have.  

I coached against an interim head coach at northern Illinois. We played Arkansas state. Hugh Freeze actually had left to go be the head coach at Ole Miss, so their head coach was an interim.

I think Todd is coaching in his last game there, but I don't see it being different in this case just because he's coached however many seasons down there. His staff is all the same, so we'll treat it like he's the acting head coach as far as our preparation goes.

You have a chance to win nine games after going 6-2 in conference.  What role does this game have in establishing your team as a power football school in the ACC?
At NC State, this is our 125th year of college football.  There have been 11 nine-win teams, total, in 125 years. To get to that mark would put us in that top ten percent, which would be great for the senior class, for this coaching staff, and for continued growth and development of our program. 

But I don't think getting one game can derail you either. If we go down there and don't win for whatever reason, our Season wasn't a failure, I can tell you that.  

It's been a very, very good season and these guys have worked their butts off.  Winning nine would be a feather in the cap and that's what we're going to try and do.