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RELEASE: Dantonio Burnette Gets a New Title & Promotion

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RALEIGH, N.C. – Dantonio Burnette, a member of NC State football’s strength and conditioning staff for 15 years, has been promoted to Assistant Athletics Director. Burnette has served as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Football since 2016.

“Coach Thunder” joined the Wolfpack strength and conditioning staff as an intern following his 2003 graduation, working his way up to graduate assistant, assistant and then assistant head coach before taking over the football programs strength and conditioning staff in 2016. He spent one year (2012) as an assistant for Pitt’s S&C staff.

“The development of the student athlete is at the foundation of our program,” said head football coach Dave Doeren. “Thunder and his staff completely understand how to direct that process in the Strength and Conditioning arena. He is constantly perfecting his craft to find new methods and techniques to ensure that no opponent is in better condition than us and has great relationships with our players.”

A four-time letterwinner at linebacker for the Pack from 1999-2002, Burnette was named first-team All-ACC as a senior in 2002. He was also the Wolfpack’s co-MVP and a team captain that season. His 24 tackles against Clemson in 2001 is tied as the second most in a game in school history and he ranks second in career tackles with 476. His 41 career tackles-for-loss also rank fourth in school history.

“Dantonio’s leadership with the strength and conditioning program has strongly contributed to the success of the football program,” said Raymond Harrison, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Sports Administration and Student Services. “The culture here is as intentional and strong as anywhere I’ve been. He embodies the integrity of character and blue collar work ethic that is synonymous with NC State and his staff is in alignment with Coach Doeren’s vision for the program.”

Burnette was a standout in the weight room as well, earning the team’s most valuable lifter award in 2001. He earned a degree in sports management with a minor in business management from NC State in 2003. Earned his master’s in higher education and sports management in 2007.

He is CSCS certified through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and is USAW certified through USA Weightlifting. He is a member of CSCCA, AFCA, and is first aid, CPR & AED Certified.

The Warner Robins, Ga., native and his wife Edrina, have three children: Alexis (18), Austin (4) and Aiden (2).

NC State Football

Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston Signs with Marshall

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Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston has officially transferred to Marshall for his final year of eligibility. NC State played Marshall this past season, but Houston didn’t play against the Thundering Herd, because he had already opted to redshirt the remainder of the season.

After playing in three games this past season, Houston opted to redshirt the remainder of the season (despite the fact that he was the starter at the time), giving him the ability to transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.

Houston played in 51 games for NC State over 5 years on the field, rushing for 1,392 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes for 398 yards and 1 touchdown.

Houston was a 3-Star prospect in NC State’s 2019 recruiting class out of Flint High School in Oakton, Virginia.

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NC State Football

Philip Rivers will Finally be Enshrined in the NC State Hall of Fame in April

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Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers will finally be inducted into the NC State Hall of Fame on April 20th!

Rivers was elected into the Hall of Fame back in 2013 (2nd year of the NC State Hall of Fame), but he has deferred his enshrinement over the years due to time constraints.

 

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Rivers pretty much owns every NC State record for Quarterbacks, and still has the most Career Passing Yards and Passes Completed in ACC history, and he ranks 3rd in Touchdown Passes. Rivers was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2000, and the ACC Player of the Year in 2003.

You can buy your tickets here.

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NC State Football

DJ Burns Had a Word for Wolfpack Fans After Winning the ACC Championship

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When NC State’s DJ Burns was giving his acceptance speech after receiving the 2024 ACC Tournament MVP Award, Burns had the following quote to say when asked what he wanted to say to the fans.

“I’m going to keep it real simple. Thank you to the ones who’ve been consistent throughout the ride, and welcome back everybody else.”

Burns’ words struck a chord.

Throughout much of this season, it was embarrassing to see all the empty seats in PNC Arena.

As the Wolfpack lost 7 of their final 9 regular season games, it was clear that this team wasn’t just losing games, but they were also losing much of the fanbase.

It’s clear from Burns’ words that the empty seats were noticed, and so were the words of fans online.

NC State finished the regular season 10th, and much of the fanbase was frustrated, and rightfully so.

But, frustrated doesn’t have to mean giving up.

‘Never giving up’ is kind of supposed to be NC State’s thing.

The words of Jimmy V reverberate throughout the history of NC State basketball.

This team didn’t always put W’s in the Win column this season, and it wasn’t always an easy watch, but never for a moment were these players not playing as hard as they could for their school, one another, and their coach.

They never gave up.

Fans have a right to be frustrated, but you can still show up for a team, even when they struggle, because that’s what loyal fans do. When players wear a jersey with NC State across the chest, and they don’t give up, their fans shouldn’t either.

NC State fans aren’t known to be fair weather fans. Let’s not get in the business of leading our players to think we are.

But, like Burns said, whether you’ve been along for the ride all season or not, it’s time to hop on.

 

 

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NC State Football

WATCH: PackInsider’s 2023 Sean Brown Highlight Reel

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This past season was a breakout season for Junior Safety, now turned Linebacker, Sean Brown.

This past season, Brown started in 11 of the 13 games that he played in, and ranked 3rd on the team in tackles (66) and pass breakups (5). He also had 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. Brown’s PFF Grade of 63.7 ranked 13th on the team. His Tackling Grade of 86.6 ranked 2nd on the team behind Payton Wilson.

As you will notice in our Highlight Reel ABOVE, Brown lived in the box, and is a very ferocious tackler. He will fit right in at Linebacker next year for the Wolfpack.

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