RALEIGH, N.C. — The offseason for N.C. State is set to witness significant changes, especially within the coaching staff.
On Tuesday, it was announced that D.J. Eliot has been appointed as the new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Eliot comes from Baylor, where he served as an analyst last season, and he has experience coaching linebackers with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. He takes over the role previously held by Tony Gibson, who is now the head coach at Marshall, as part of Dave Doeren’s coaching staff.

Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay is also stepping into a more prominent role after serving as the interim coordinator during the Military Bowl, where the team fell to East Carolina. He will now work as a co-coordinator while coaching the safeties and nickelbacks. His promotion follows the impending retirement of Joe DeForest, who had been overseeing the safeties.

Additionally, Elisha Shaw has been elevated to a full-time coaching position after joining the football program ahead of the last season. His new responsibilities include collaborating with Charley Wiles to coach the defensive line.

These defensive changes come shortly after head coach Dave Doeren announced the dismissal of Robert Anae as the offensive coordinator, a position he held for two seasons. Kurt Roper will assume the offensive coordinator responsibilities while maintaining his role as quarterbacks coach. Meanwhile, alumnus Gavin Locklear has been promoted from his position as offensive quality control coach to head the tight ends.

The changes to the coaching staff follow a challenging season for N.C. State, which concluded with a record of 6-7, marking their first losing season since 2019.