HOUSTON, Nov. 4, 2025 — NC State head football coach Dave Doeren has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week after the Wolfpack’s 48-36 upset win over eighth-ranked Georgia Tech on Saturday night.
The win marks the first time that the Wolfpack has beaten a top-ten team since upsetting No. 9 Clemson, 27-21, in double overtime in 2021.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
NC State jumped out to an early lead over the previously undefeated Yellow Jackets with an opening-drive score and held that lead until the middle of the second quarter, when Georgia Tech grabbed a 17-14 advantage. However, that advantage was short-lived as NC State answered back just over three minutes later, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a fumble recovery in the end zone by Cody Hardy that put the Wolfpack ahead for good.
The Wolfpack lead grew to as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Offensively, NC State converted 7-of-11 third downs and was 6-for-6 in red zone opportunities.
The Wolfpack are idle this week, and will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 15 facing No. 18 Miami.
Doeren is the fourth ACC coach to capture honors this season. He follows last week’s selection of Houston’s Willie Fritz and previous selections of Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, UCLA’s Tim Skipper, Virginia’s Tony Elliott, Syracuse’s Fran Brown, Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, USF’s Alex Golesh and Florida State’s Mike Norvell.
Continuing through the remainder of the regular season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The National Coach of the Week award is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s 40th annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
###