NC State Safeties Coach Joe DeForest Retires

NC State Safeties Coach Joe DeForest is retiring after 33 years of coaching College Football (also 2 years as a Graduate Assistant in 1990-91 at Rice).

“Congratulations to Joe Deforest on his retirement,” said Doeren. “I want thank him for his contributions to our program and wish him and his family the best.”
 
“I want to thank Coach Doeren for allowing me to finish my career at NC State, which was my plan when I came here,” said DeForest. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and watching Wolfpack football do great things.”  (GoPack)

DeForest has been coached the Safeties for the Wolfpack for the past 5 seasons. He helped lead NC State Safety Tanner Ingle to earn 1st Team All-ACC honors in 2021, and 2nd Team honors in 2022. Ingle has been a member of the Los Angeles Rams Practice Squad the past two seasons.

DeForest was extremely versatile throughout his coaching career. He coached Safeties, Outside Linebackers, Special Teams and Secondary. He was an Associate Head Coach at Oklahoma State for 7 years, and 1 season at West Virginia.

While at Oklahoma State, DeForest led 3 players to earn Big 12 Special Teams Players of the Year honors (returner Dez Bryant in 2008, placekicker Dan Bailey in 2010 and placekicker/punter Quinn Sharp in 2011). Punter Matt Fodge won the 2008 Ray Guy Award. Rivals ranked him as a Top-25 recruiter nationally 3 times.

At West Virginia, Place Kicker Josh Lambert was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award.

Congratulations on a great coaching career Coach DeForest!