Coaching Staff
NC State has assembled one of the best and highest paid coaching staffs in college football.
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The Chest Works the Refs
There is much about Chuck Amato that fans find impressive, but the force of his personality may be the most notable characteristic. Amato is a charming and very likeable individual, but his fire and passion can also be intimidating.
Shown here talking with the refs before the April 8 scrimmage, Chuck appears easy going, but in games this fall, fans expect, and hope, for explosions of anger when the Wolfpack is treated unfairly by the guys in the zebra shirts.
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Chow Tudors Philip Rivers
Norm Chow, with playbook in hand, gives Rivers some instructions during goal line drills. When it comes to developing quarterbacks, Chow is one of the best in the history of college football, as evidenced by statistical leaders, Heisman candidates, and success in the NFL.
Of all the outstanding students Norm has taught, including Steve Young, Ty Detmer, Marc Wilson and Jim McMahon, Chow has singled out one individual as being exceptionally bright, as sharp as any of the others. That player is Philip Rivers.
Norm Chow has won plenty of his own awards, including assistant coach of the year. Chow has stated that he will do what it takes to move the ball, and that he expects this team to win.
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Green Lays Down the Law
Buddy Green returns to Raleigh, and other than a little grey hair, it's as if he never left. Green's defenses a decade ago were often ranked in national statistical categories, but more importantly played with hustle and intensity. Green is in the process of reaffirming a high level of emotion for this year's defense. Buddy Green's philosophy coincides well with Amato's standards for toughness on the field.
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Defensive Coaches Study the Field
In addition to keeping the troups fired up, this trio of senior defensive coaches study the action with intense concentration.
Pate and Green both spent time as defensive coordinators under Dick Sheridan, during the most successful years of Wolfpack football in the past two decades. Pate, the lone holdover from the previous staff, has elevated the linebacker play tremendously since returning three years ago. Pate is also a masterful recruiter, specializing in Alabama, with standout Philip Rivers being his most recent catch.
Cary Godette brings a wealth of coaching experience from the college and pro ranks, most recently with the NFL Miami Dolphins. Godette knows about successful defensive linemen, and what it takes to succeed at the next level, something the Wolfpack has not achieved recently from the defensive line position. Hopefully Godette, Amato and company can reverse that trend with player development and recruiting, and produce some NFL caliber defensive linemen..
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Demarest Stalks the Sidelines
The youngest member of the coaching staff, Chris Demarest has been given one of the most critical responsibilities, instructing the inexperienced cornerbacks.
Demarest has attacked this job with great energy, constantly yelling encouragement to the young cornerbacks and challenging them to do their best. Like all the defensive coaches, Demarest personifies Amato's expectations of toughness and intensity.
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Coaches Demonstrate Form
Pate, Green and Godette have red caps rather than helmets, but appear ready to jump out on the field and help with the tackle. The demonstartive nature of these coaches on this play shows that they are more than instructors, that they feel what's happening and are a part of it.
The defense under Amato, Green, Pate, Godette and Demarest plays not as individuals, but as a unified group, helping each other with relentless pursuit. The coaches are not separate from the players, and extend themselves on the field mentally, and as shown here, would need pads to get much more involved.