NC State fires head coach O'Brien
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North Carolina State relieved head football coach Tom O'Brien of his duties on Sunday following a string of three losses in the Wolfpack's final five games.
The Wolfpack achieved their third consecutive winning season under O'Brien, hired in December of 2006 following a successful 10-year stint with fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Boston College, after Saturday's 27-10 victory over his former Eagles squad upped their record to 7-5. However, the program could never reach above mid-pack status in the ACC in his six seasons at the helm.
O"Brien compiled a 40-35 overall record at NC State, but went just 22-26 in ACC play and won only once in 15 road games against Atlantic Division members.
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"Coach O'Brien's service to NC State over the last six years has been sincerely appreciated by Wolfpack Nation," said athletic director Deborah A. Yow in a statement. "We especially appreciate his attention toward NCAA rules compliance, a value that will continue to be held by NC State. We wish him well in future pursuits."
O'Brien's best season at NC State came in 2010, when the Wolfpack amassed a 9-4 mark capped by a 23-7 triumph over West Virginia in the Champs Sports Bowl. His 2011 team also won its postseason game, a 31-24 decision over Louisville in the Belk Bowl, to finish at 8-5.
Counting his tenure at Boston College, O'Brien has gone 8-2 in bowl games and owns a 115-80 overall record in 16 seasons as a head coach.
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"I appreciate the opportunity to have coached at North Carolina State University and I feel that the program is in a better place now than when I started," said O'Brien. "I'm proud of the young men that I have coached here, for their accomplishments on the field and in the classroom. Wolfpack football is as sound academically as it's ever been with a (single year) APR of 990 to be reported this spring. I appreciate all of my coaches and wish them the best and I look forward to life after football."
Offensive coordinator Dana Bible will serve as interim head coach for the Wolfpack's upcoming bowl matchup, which is yet to be determined.