Dave Doeren linked to major head coaching vacancy

Michigan State has the longest active coaching search of the 2023 season carousel now that Northwestern has named a new full-time head coach.

As one would expect, plenty of names have been mentioned for the Spartan job. Rivals’ Spartans Illustrated recently listed Jason Candle (Toledo), Mike Elko (Duke), Jedd Fisch (Arizona) and Jonathan Smith (Oregon State) as head coaches who have interviewed for the position. When asked about the report, Fisch called it false

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MSU’s interest in ACC coaches extends beyond Elko. FootballScoop reports, per sources, that MSU “has had conversations” with NC State’s Dave Doeren. Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi was also linked to Michigan State in the same report.

Doeren, 51, has almost 3 decades of coaching experience. He has some Big Ten familiarity from his time at Wisconsin. Doeren was Wisconsin’s co-defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator for the 2006 and ’07 seasons. In 2008, he was promoted to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

After the 2

010 season, Doeren left Wisconsin to become the head coach at Northern Illinois. He posted a 23-4 record, guiding the Huskies to a pair of MAC championships. Doeren departed after 2 seasons to take the NC State job.

Doeren is in his 11th season at NC State. The Wolfpack are 80-57 overall under Doeren, suffering only 2 losing seasons. NC State is 8-3, on track to play in its 9th bowl game under Doeren.

NC State will face rival North Carolina on Saturday in Raleigh. The Wolfpack could secure their first 10-win season since 2002 if they beat the Tar Heels and win their bowl game.