Dave Doeren, the Wolfpack's long-tenured head coach, is entering his 14th season and still chasing his first ACC championship.
Doeren said he was excited about this year's squad.
"I feel great. I got to tell you, it's so fun to be on the field today," Doeren said. "I'm not going to say that I'm comfortable because first day, you're all excited to get out there and all that, but like, there's a lot of good things going on right now."
Reflecting on his time in Raleigh, Doeren said, "I think it's not so many the years that you do it, it's the teams you do it with."
One reason for optimism this fall is the return of quarterback CJ Bailey, who is back for a third season.
Doeren said Bailey was an offensive leader last season, but now he's developing into a team leader.
It's a role that Bailey is ready to embrace.
"The past couple of years, I was learning, learning from other leaders," Bailey said. "Those NFL guys helping me, teaching me how to lead, and you know, just practicing it, speaking a lot, using my voice, stepping out in front has just prepared me for this moment."
The Wolfpack was picked to finish seventh in the ACC according to the media's preseason poll.
Bailey was undaunted by the news.
"That's actually a good fact. I really didn't know about that, but it just adds fuel to the fire for sure," Bailey said. "Like, we'll just stay motivated. Like, every little thing motivates us.
"I want to win every game and prove everybody wrong," he added.
The Wolfpack opens the season on Aug. 29 at Virginia, a game that was supposed to be played in Brazil but was later moved to Charlottesville.
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