Why NC State Lost & UNC Fell Short, Duke is Rolling and we Remember Shawn Clark

Late-game heartbreak. Weather-delay chaos. A coach’s lasting legacy.Mike Waddell, Coach Jim Collins and Nolan Jones break down a wild weekend of North Carolina college football on THE COACHES ROOM—and remember former App State head coach Shawn Clark one year after his passing.NC State falls 35–31 at Vanderbilt after a costly late fumble. UNC lets an opportunity slip away in a 28–20 loss at Clemson. Duke keeps rolling behind standout running back Nate Shepherd, while App State outlasts Charlotte to set up a showdown with the Wolfpack.Beyond the scores, Jim and Nolan take you inside the decisions that shape a game: when to take a safety, how to regroup during a lightning delay, what to say to CJ Bailey after a crushing finish, and how to restore a kicker’s confidence when the pressure builds. Plus, Miami quarterback Darian Mensah’s 24 straight completions against Wake Forest, Jake Dickert’s program culture and the growing pressure to fire coaches.Then, football takes a back seat to the people who make it matter.We remember Shawn Clark’s impact as a player, coach and friend, spotlight the Shawn Clark Legacy Foundation’s 61 Initiative and discuss the importance of coach wellness screenings. Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels shares personal memories of Clark in a tribute to a life whose influence reaches far beyond the field.Tell us in the comments: What was the biggest coaching decision of the weekend? App State fans, share your favorite memory of Coach Clark.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome: A Wild Weekend in NC Football01:17 Duke Keeps Rolling Behind Nate Shepherd02:26 Lightning Delays: Keeping a Team Ready05:21 Miami’s Offense Shreds Wake Forest06:20 Jake Dickert and Wake Forest’s Culture08:13 Coaching Pressure and the Hot Seat10:43 NC State’s Safety Decision: The Breakdown14:58 How Do You Pick Up CJ Bailey?17:15 NC State vs. App State Preview22:45 UNC at Clemson: Late Heartbreak and Delays26:08 Inside the Visiting Locker Room31:31 Game-Day Operations and Advance Site Visits33:27 The Bye Week Fix List35:47 Resetting a Kicker’s Confidence37:56 Snap, Hold or Kick: Where Does It Go Wrong?42:07 Sponsor Break42:48 Remembering Shawn Clark49:29 The 61 Initiative and Clark’s Lasting Impact52:46 Orlando Coaches Classic58:09 Sponsor Break58:57 Stacy Searels Remembers Shawn Clark01:02:12 The Reality of Coaches’ Health01:05:20 Closing ThoughtsSUBSCRIBE to @TheNCSportsNet and turn on notifications for more THE COACHES ROOM, The David Glenn Show and coverage from across North Carolina.WATCH • LISTEN • READ • FOLLOWNorth Carolina Sports Network: https://NCSportsNetwork.comFollow @TheNCSportsNet on YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.The North Carolina Sports Network — The Voice of the Bold North State.#TheCoachesRoom #NCSN #ShawnClark #AppState #NCState #UNC #Duke #CollegeFootball