NC State Starts 2022 with Highest Preseason Coaches Poll Ranking in School History

The 2022 Coaches Preseason Poll was released yesterday, and NC State sits at #13, marking the first time the Wolfpack have started the season in the Top-25 in the Dave Doeren era, and the first time since 2003.

In fact, this is only the 7th time in school history the Wolfpack has started the season ranked in the Coaches Poll.

2022 – 13th
2003 – 14th
2002 – 25th
1995 – 25th
1993 – 24rd
1989 – 24th
1975 – 17th

It’s worth noting that I can’t find a Coaches Preseason Poll prior to 1975…I can only find final season rankings.

The Wolfpack have been ranked in the Coaches Poll 12 consecutive polls dating back to last year, in which they were ranked in the final 11 polls, finishing the season ranked 19th. The 12 poll stretch ties the longest stretch in school history, pulling off the feat in 2002 and 1991.

The highest NC State has ever been ranked in the Coaches Poll is 8th, in the Week 10 poll, when the Wolfpack were 9-0 with Philip Rivers at the helm.

The highest the Wolfpack have ever finished a season ranked in the Coaches Poll is 9th (1974).

2021: 19th
2017: 23rd
2010: 25th
2002: 11th
1994: 17th
1992: 15th
1991: 25th
1988: 18th
1978: 20th
1977: 19th
1974: 9th
1967: 17th
1957: 20th

As I look up at the years NC State was ranked in the preseason poll, I painfully realize that they only finished the season ranked in 1 of those 7 years (2002).

Here’s to Devin Leary and crew meeting and exceeding expectations in 2022.