This is the longest feature I’ve ever written, so grab a snack and get to know
@StateCoachD
a little better.
“He’s a no ego, no frills guy … He’s unselfish, he’s loyal, he’s about hard work and doing things the right way and for the right reasons.”
Brent Venables said he told the football team to look to Patty Gasso and the
#Sooners
softball team as an example on how to win.
Invest in women's sports.
I also asked Doeren if he’d take a bite out of the edible Pop Tart mascot if State wins.
Here’s how that went. Get me the Pulitzer Prize for capital J journalism.
If y’all don’t know, Jacob is on the autism spectrum. The Doerens were told when he was little that he wouldn’t live independently or hold a job.
App State has a program for neurodivergent students like Jacob, and they helped fund a similar program at NC State.
We couldn’t be more proud of our oldest son - graduating from App. State and starting Grad School! Beautiful weekend in the Mountains of NC! Blessed!!!
This is Payton Gibbs, a 12-year-old with autism from Florida. Gibbs was the defensive analyst for Golden Gate HS, alongside her father/the team’s DC. District officials recently barred her from the sideline, so coach Dave Doeren invited her as a guest coach. Will have story.
Don’t let basketball distract you from the fact that NC State gymnastics brought home a title today.
Wolfpack won the ACC Championship back in 1984. In the first year that the ACC sponsored the sport again, the team is back on top.
Saniya Rivers posted a really sweet “thank you” to Wolfpack nation on her Instagram and specifically said she’ll see everyone next season.
“This isn’t goodbye, just an appreciation post.”
Brennan Armstrong shared today what football — in high school, at Virginia and now at NC State — has done for his life.
It’s easy to look at sports as just games, but college athletics change the trajectory of entire futures.
“Nobody said he is leaving the program. If he would have left the program, he would have left in January and he would have left in May. He had plenty of options.”
- MJ Morris’ father
Between the NCAA not taking the time to google its officials and any conflicts of interest, not accurately measuring the floor and not holding officials accountable for some bad calls, this organization is doing these women a huge injustice.
With transfer portal conversations, how do you define a program guy? Just look at Payton Wilson's career and the legacy he leaves at NC State.
“I love this university. I love this team. I love this fan base ... hopefully I left a good mark here.”
NC State website has been updated.
The bowl roster currently includes Payton Wilson, Brennan Armstrong, KC Concepcion, Brayden Narveson, Devan Boykin, Jaylon Scott, Aydan White. 👀
Wes Moore literally said in his press conference last night that he’s friends with Kevin Keatts and the players are friends with each other. He also said the women’s team watched the men’s game the other night before watching film.
Horrible scheduling from the NCAA.
@MichaelTracey_
Shit, that's terrible. Not only did I want to watch both games but I'm pretty sure the men's and women's team wanted to see each other play too.
Hubert Davis said "without hesitation" that the toughest place to play on the road was Reynolds Coliseum. He never scored first-half points against NC State in Reynolds.
I'm sitting outside the NC State locker room (I didn't want to go all the way back upstairs to the work room) and Wes Moore walks by. He taps my computer with his bag and says, "You made it!"
There's an appetite and appreciation for women's sports coverage, friends.
The Kay Yow cancer fund gives $150k to the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, continuing its tradition of donating to the city that hosts the women’s Final Four.
While I’ve legitimately loved covering the men’s teams, too, I consider it a HUGE privilege to be here for these young women.
Their accomplishments matter just as much.
S/o to the
@newsobserver
for being the only Triangle media outlet with a reporter in Portland despite both the Duke and NC State women being there.
If I’m wrong, please correct me, obviously, but I don’t think I am.
🧵 Before we get too deep into March madness, I want to reflect on why this past weekend was more than just basketball for some people, including myself.
Breon Pass had a bittersweet moment on Saturday. His father, who died in 2019, wasn’t there to celebrate with him.
As a lactose intolerant person, the funniest thing to me about NC State hoops going hard on the ice cream thing is that neither he nor his son eat it. Kevin Keatts is also lactose intolerant and KJ has an ingredient allergy.
Payton Wilson’s numbers:
No. 1 in ACC/No. 6 FBS for total tackles and tackles per game (112; 11.2)
No. 4/T13 solo tackles (53)
T5 in ACC for TFL (12) — NCAA does not rank past top 24
He’s also contributed 2 fumble recoveries, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 6 PBU, 9 QBH.
Had to be H11M!
Payton Wilson has been named a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, recognizing the best defensive player in college football.
📰:
#1Pack1Goal
People not covering this team are missing out. I walked into the locker room and Zoe was rolliny on the floor with an exercise band. KP drew caricatures of the coaching staff on the white board. Aziaha was laying on the floor, so i plopped down next to her.
They’re just fun.
Basketball season is over for me. I want to say it’s been the honor of a lifetime covering all three schools and telling their stories.
There’s still plenty of room for me to grow, and that’s exciting. (Also excited about time off and getting back to my cats)
NC State and UNC hockey are offering free admission to their games this weekend if fans bring donations for storm relief.
App State hockey players will be in attendance to help with collection.
Payton Wilson on his role with the team. Reports said he would sit out, but he neither confirmed nor denied and he practiced today.
“I’m just excited to get down to the bowl game, get this 10th win. Then, after the bowl game, I'll be down in Florida training for the combine.”
#NCAASoftball
is the most competitive it’s ever been, making reaching and staying at the top difficult.
Caring for ailing spouse makes it harder. But
@DukeCoachYoung
(a former UNC Tar Heels assistant) did it. Read her story of hope and strength.
My mom — who has no connection to NC State — is staying up late to watch this game, because she’s loved watching the team’s run.
(And is fascinated by DJ Burns)
Kiki wanted to help me write emails. So if anyone receives gibberish, just know she tried her best. Typing is hard when you don’t have opposable thumbs.
UNC women headed to Columbia, SC, as a No. 8 seed. Tar Heels will play No. 9 Michigan State, and they must beat No. 1 overall seed South Carolina to earn a spot in the Albany Regional.
.
@andrewalirez970
wins the 141-pound national championship. It is the first for Troy Nickerson as coach of
@UNCBearsWrestle
and first natty in the modern era.
NC State Wolfpack in 2023-24:
Cross country natty, Pop-Tarts bowl, both Final Fours, MCWS PLUS the world cheese rolling title, ACC gymnastics regular season and championship titles, ACC wrestling title, ACC men’s swimming title, ACC men’s basketball title. I *think* that’s it 🤪
happy friyay! some personal news: i’m joining the
@TimesRecord
staff in a few week. i’ll be an education reporter, covering sports on the side.
i can’t thank everyone i want, but here are some people who specifically helped in the job hunt:
I love this quote from Wes Moore on the Wolfpack men/Keatts:
"He is an unbelievable man, so good with those players, but also an unbelievable coach. To see all that come together and start clicking when it counted was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever been a part of."
Y’ALL i finally watched the love is blind reunion:
1. I always knew Amber was problematic. It’s been two years. Chill.
2. Lauren and Cam need to drop Matt and Amber. They’re too pure for the Barnetts’ nonsense.
3. I really hope Carlton finds peace.
New bio alert 👀
After a wonderful three years in Greeley (column coming soon), I’m headed to North Carolina. I’ll be covering
@PackAthletics
, among other things, for the
@newsobserver
. I start in about a week. Gotta make a pit stop in oklahoma first 🖤
It was real.
I just want to say how fun the Wolfpack runs have been. Both teams are giving ✨ME✨ a chance to live my own dreams. Now, onto the Final Four.
I don’t normally do this, but I decided this season was worth remembering.
Every credential i could find (regardless of the team). Confetti from the men’s ACC Tournament and Portland regional final.
Brennan Armstrong said when he was growing up, his favorite Pop Tarts were s’mores and brown sugar.
And in regard to the edible mascot:
“Coach D said he’s gonna have bourbon. I might join him. We’ll see. We’ve got a game to play.”
“I was kind of shocked, but I felt a relief for the players,” a senior said. “I just feel like if it would have been another year of what was going on, then it wouldn’t have gotten any better.”
Former players said firing MCaffrey was a good decision.
Mo recorded 311 rebounds this year. 112 came in the postseason. He set an ACC Tournament record with 60. The previous record holder was Tim Duncan (yeah, you know the one)
For Northern Colorado friends who don’t know: Carl Iwasaki, former UNC baseball coach and Grand Junction Jackalopes assistant, died yesterday.
I’ve said my success in this job is due in large part to coaches who have treated me well. Carl is one of them.
“I went to a home visit and drove back to my house here to be around my family and now find out we get to go to Orlando, Florida, and be a part of a great bowl experience. It’s been a great day, great weekend.”
Today is Dave Doeren’s birthday.