By Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Raleigh, N.C. — NC State has fired offensive coordinator Robert Anae after two seasons with the team, head coach Dave Doeren announced Monday.

Quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper will replace Anae.

“I want to thank Robert and wish him and his family the best,” Doeren said in a university-issued release. “I have great respect for him and appreciate the work he has done.”

NC State finished with a 6-7 record after losing the Military Bowl to ECU. Head injuries to starting quarterback Grayson McCall forced him to retire. It prompted the Wolfpack to start true freshman CJ Bailey for most of the season.

Bailey is due to return for his sophomore season. Roper will retain his position as quarterbacks coach.

“Kurt has done a great job for us and knows what we need to do to take the next step forward as a program,” Doeren said. “He has a great relationship with our players, a great knowledge of college football and the ACC, and I’m looking forward to seeing him as a play caller.”

Bailey posted the second-highest yardage total ever by a Wolfpack freshman in 2024 (2,413), while his 17 touchdown passes also rank second ever for an NC State rookie.

Roper, 52, has coached at NC State since 2019, coaching quarterbacks (2019, 2023-24) and running backs (2020-2022). He also served as an offensive coordinator for Duke (2008-2013), Florida (2014) and South Carolina (2016-2017).

“I’m grateful for this opportunity and appreciate coach Doeren’s faith in me,” Roper said. “My family and I love NC State, and I’m excited about the future.”

In addition, Doeren named Gavin Locklear as tight ends coach. Locklear originally walked on for the Wolfpack but was awarded a scholarship before the 2016 season. He ended up playing in 38 career games as a wide receiver. After returning from a major leg injury, he earned the program’s Ken McNeill Iron Wolf Award.

“I am very grateful to Coach Doeren and Coach Roper for giving me this opportunity to coach for the university that I love,” Locklear said.

Doeren also named D.J. Eliot as its new defensive coordinator. Eliot was the former Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach in 2023, the Temple defensive coordinator in 2022 and the Kansas defensive coordinator from 2019-2020.

Eliot replaces outgoing defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, who left the program to accept the head coaching job at Marshall.

Anae, 66, became offensive coordinator at NC State in December 2022. He replaced Tim Beck, who is now Coastal Carolina’s head coach.

Under Anae, here’s how NC State ranked in total offense (year/yards per game):

• 2024: 366 yards per game (83rd among 134 FBS teams)
• 2023: 337.9 yards per game (95th among 133 FBS teams)

Also, here’s how NC State ranked in points per game the past two seasons (year/points per game):

• 2024: 27.8 points per game (57th among 134 FBS teams)
• 2023: 24.7 points per game (74th among 133 FBS teams)

Source: wralsportsfan.com