Connect with us

NC State Football

RELEASE: Des Kitchings & George McDonald Elevated to Co-Offensive Coordinators at NC State

Published

on

RALEIGH, NC – NC State head coach Dave Doeren has announced that Des Kitchings and George McDonald will serve as co-offensive coordinators for Wolfpack football. Kitchings has been on the Wolfpack staff since 2012, while McDonald is finishing his fourth season with the program. The two assume the role formerly held by Eliah Drinkwitz, who was named the new head coach at Appalachian State on Thursday.

“I’m excited that Des and George will have the opportunity to oversee and develop our offense,” said Doeren on Friday evening. “They have a great working relationship and respect for each other and their familiarity with our offense will provide us with great continuity for our players and recruits.”

Kitchings joined the Wolfpack staff in 2012 and has coached the running backs throughout his tenure. The 15-year coaching veteran has led NC State running backs to three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons: Matthew Dayes in 2016, Nyheim Hines in 2017 and Reggie Gallaspy, Jr., this season. He will continue to coach the running backs in this new role.

“I would like to thank to Coach Doeren and the administration for this opportunity,” said Kitchings. “I’m excited to work hand in hand with Coach McDonald and the rest of our staff to continue the progression of NC State football.”

McDonald, a 19-year veteran of the coaching ranks, joined the staff in 2015 and will continue to coach the Wolfpack wide receivers. Under his guidance, the Wolfpack became the first team in ACC history to have two wide receivers named first-team all-conference performers, as Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers were both honored in 2018. Harmon has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns, and he and Meyers have both reached that milestone this season.

“I’m extremely grateful to Coach Doeren for this opportunity,” said McDonald. “My family and I love NC State and I’m proud of what we’re building with Wolfpack football. Our staff has a great relationship and I know that will continue as Coach Kitchings and I take on this role.”

The 9-3 Wolfpack begins practice this weekend as they prepare to face Texas A&M in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Dec. 31. It marks the program’s fifth-straight bowl trip.

Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

NC State Football

Transfer Portal Rundown: Who Transferred Out and Who Transferred In?

Published

on

Continue Reading

NC State Football

NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray is Entering the Transfer Portal

Published

on

NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray announced today that he will be entering the Transfer Portal.

This past season, Gray had career highs in receptions (16) and receiving yards (170). He ranked 4th on the team in receptions, and 7th on the team in receiving yards.

Gray has served as NC State’s primary Kickoff Returner the past two seasons, averaging 24.9 yards per return. This past year, he averaged 26.0 yards per carry, which ranked 3rd in the ACC, and 11th nationally. It stands as the 5th best single-season average in school history.

Back in 2021, ON3 ranked Gray as a 4-star prospect, the #197 overall player nationally, and the #13 player in the state of North Carolina.

For the past two seasons, Gray has carried a lot of preseason hype that hasn’t ultimately materialized in the season. I’m not saying that’s Gray’s fault, or his role in the offensive scheme. It is what it is, but with the influx of talented Wide Receivers that the Wolfpack brought in through the Portal and the High School ranks, it seems like Gray if he was looking for an increased role in 2024, it probably wasn’t going to be in Raleigh.

Gray has 2 more years of eligibility remaining.

 

Continue Reading

NC State Football

WATCH: Wesley Grimes Steals the Show at NC State’s Spring Game with 2 TD’s

Published

on

Junior Wesley Grimes, who transferred to NC State after playing his first to seasons at Wake Forest this offseason, stole the show at the Wolfpack’s 2024 Spring Game, reeling in touchdowns of 30 yards and 90 yards.

Grimes led NC State in receiving yards and touchdown receptions in the contest.

Check out his tape from the Spring Game.

As a Sophomore this past season, Grimes caught 20 passes for 339 yards and 4 touchdowns in 12 games. As a True Freshman the year  before, he played in 6 games, collecting 4 receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown.

In all reality, Grimes is coming home. He was a 4-Star prospect out of Millbrook High School here in Raleigh. ON3, 247Sports and Rivals all ranked Grimes as a Top-250 prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, with Rivals ranking him as the #36 overall player nationally, the #4 Wide Receiver, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.

Back in 2021, Grimes chose the Demon Deacons over NC State, Tennessee, Duke and Louisville. On December 8th, 2023, Grimes decided to come back home and run with the Pack.

 

Continue Reading

NC State Football

WATCH: Noah Rogers Shows Off Well Rounded Game in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game

Published

on

Last Saturday was the 2024 Spring Game, and Wolfpack fans finally got to see what it was like for Redshirt Freshman Wide Receiver Noah Rogers to play in an NC State jersey.

Rogers was outstanding, with 6 receptions for over 100 yards.

Throughout the game, he showed how well rounded his game is, catching balls through contact across the middle, beating the Cornerback down the sideline, running short slants, or making things happen around the line of scrimmage.

Check out our Highlights of Noah Rogers from NC State’s Spring Game.





Rogers transferred to NC State from Ohio St. this offseason.

ON3 rated Rogers as a 5-Star prospect in the the 2023 class, and the #26 overall player nationally, the #3 Wide Receiver and the #1 player in the state of North Carolina.

Rogers was teammates with Tamarcus Cooley at Rolesville, who transferred to NC State from Maryland this offseason as well. As a Senior at Rolesville, Rogers had 39 receptions for 799 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also returned a Kickoff for a TD. As a Junior, he had 70 receptions for 1,432 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also returned a Punt for a TD.

This past season, Rogers played in 4 games (14 snaps) for Ohio State, but didn’t record any stats. He will be a Redshirt Freshman at NC State in 2024, with 4 years of eligibility remaining.

Continue Reading