NC State head football coach Dave Doeren met with the media this evening to discuss NC State accepting the invitation to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Kansas State. Check out what he had to say below:

Super excited for NC State and the Wolfpack Nation to go down to Orlando. As an assistant coach at Wisconsin, I was a part of this game, and as an Assistant Coach at Kansas. It was a phenomenal experience for our athletes, our staff, our children, and so we’re very thankful for the invite.

Excited to play against a great school, great institution like Kansas State. Have tremendous respect for them…Coach Klieman and their President, who actually came from NC State Rich Linton. Great program.

Our team, staff, and fanbase cannot wait to go down to Orlando and be a part of the experience.

What was the waiting period like for y’all?

I was in a home visit during most of it, so I was trying to recruit, but it was a weird day in college football to say the least. So thankful we ended up where we did. I think it’s a great place. thankful to the bowl selection committee for Michael Strickland, Jim Phillips and all the people involved. I think this was the right location for us to go since we’ve been in some of the other bowls. For our fans, to be able to travel to Orlando, an awesome destination. This is what we were hoping for.

Being a Kansas City guy, and working at Kansas earlier in your tenure, what are some of your memories of the Wildcats?

I grew up in Kansas City before Coach Snider was there and it wasn’t much of a program. When I came back from my Freshman year at college, Coach Snider had taken over and turned that program around, and that was the beginning of what became an incredible turnaround in college football. I have so much respect for Kansas State, for what coach Snider did, and now Coach Klieman. Had a great rivalry there between us when I was at Kansas with Coach Mangino, who also came from Kansas State. I have nothing but great admiration and respect for the Kansas State football program and University. Growing up there, I know a lot of people that are alumni. So looking forward to playing them and I know they’ll have a great turnout from their fans as well.

The character and perseverance of this team

It says a lot about the perseverance and grit of this football team. The staff came together in a tough time, went through some difficult things in the middle of the season, and it really galvanized our team, and brought us closer together. We were able to rattle off five in a row to finish the season, which has only been done one time in a 100 years at NC State. Very proud of the legacy this team has created for itself and look forward to an opportunity to compete for a 10th win, which again is a is a monumental thing here at NC State, so we’re excited for this opportunity, and to get to do it at such a great bowl game, against a great competitor, it’s going to be an awesome opportunity.

Favorite Pop-Tart Flavor

I’m gonna go with the brown sugar. Pretty strong. My wife likes strawberry, just so you know.

Things the players will get to do down in Orlando

Well, there’s multiple theme parks, as you know, whether you’re talking about SeaWorld, Disney World, Universal, Islands of Adventure, it just seemed like there was something every day the guys could go do. A lot of our coaches have children, and their wives and kids can go be a part of that. The roller coaster rides, I know the players were big on that. I didn’t partake in that, but the golf course at the hotel. The restaurants, you name it, there’s just a ton to do. Each time I went there, it was a little different, which I really liked.

How much of a celebration can this be for the season your team has had?

I told the guys that after our last win…I said ‘we’re going to go to a bowl game…I’m not sure where it’s going to be…and we’re going to have more fun than any other team in the country. We’re going to enjoy each other’s company one more time and really revel in the brotherhood and the family that we’ve created, and enjoy the process of getting ready to win a game, and what it means to be somewhere together.’ A lot of teams don’t get a good a place like we’re going to go to. To enjoy that opportunity, to go compete with each other one more time.

How big would a 10-win season be for this program, in a year like this?

Well, it’s never happened at NC State. We’ve had an 11 win team and a bunch of nine, eight, sevens and so on, but never a 10. So over 135 years of football, it would be a first time. Anytime you can break ground into something over a period that long, it’s meaningful to say the least. This game means a lot to our football program the guys are going to play really hard.

If y’all win, we’ll get to see you take a bite out of a massive pop tart mascot.

Man, I guess I would have to wouldn’t I. I’m not going to be the guy that doesn’t do that, so you know as long
as it’s…I don’t know what flavor is it going
to be

Pop Tarts Representative: I don’t think I’m at liberty to divulge that information yet

Doeren: Okay, well then maybe I’m not at liberty to answer the question. How’s that fair? Can I chase it down with a nice bourbon or something like that afterwards? Is that part of the Pop-Tart experience or not?

Pop Tarts Representative: I think we could arrange that. If you wanted, we’ll make it a whole tasting.

Doeren: Okay, then I think I’m in.