‘He’s got a bright future’: What Dave Doeren said about Grayson McCall’s retirement

N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren addressed former N.C. State quarterback Grayson McCall’s sudden retirement from football for the first time publicly Monday, during his weekly availability prior to Saturday’s game against Stanford.

Doeren said he and the Wolfpack’s staff allowed McCall to handle things on his own time and own way.

“I said, ‘You do whatever you need to do. We’re here to support you,’ and that’s really it,” Doeren said. “I’m like, ‘When you’re ready to announce the next steps, let’s have a conversation. We knew where this thing was going, and I wanted him to do it his way.

“He’s earned every opportunity in the sport. He’s a great teammate, he’s a tremendous young guy to coach, and he’s got a bright future as a coach, if that’s what he chooses to do.”

McCall suffered two concussions during his four-game Wolfpack career. He left the Louisiana Tech game on Sept. 14 before halftime after his head hit the turf and missed the next two games.

He returned to the lineup on Oct. 5 against Wake Forest, and was hit on the first offensive drive of the game. While rushing the ball, McCall collided with multiple Demon Deacons defenders. He lost his helmet and mouth guard, briefly losing consciousness. Medical staff took McCall to the hospital, from which he was released later that night.

The following week, Doeren did not originally rule McCall out for the season and said he supported McCall, his family and the medical staff as it evaluated the quarterback.

‘We kind of knew after the game’

Doeren said Monday, however, it was clear from the beginning McCall likely would not return after the Wake Forest game.

“We kind of knew after the game,” Doeren said. “If he had another one that that was probably it. It was pretty quick. It was more of a matter of the steps he wanted to take and when he was ready to make it a public thing.

“It’s a big step to make that announcement and have to say those words — even though you know that it’s probably happening — out loud and to do it the way that he did. I thought it was really well done. There’s a lot of things, as you can imagine, being talked about before they become public.”

McCall announced his retirement on Oct. 23, two and a half weeks after his final play, after spending time with his family. Doeren said it’s difficult when a player’s career ends, but the graduate student has relied on his faith through the process.

“Unfortunately, my dream has been cut just short. As you all know, I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from,” McCall said in a statement. “I have done everything I can to continue, but this is where the good Lord has called me to serve in a different space. Brain specialists, my family and I have come to the conclusion that it is in my best interest to hang the cleats up.”

‘He’s still a captain’

McCall’s final season at Coastal Carolina in 2023 ended because of a similar injury. He made helmet-to-helmet contact with an Arkansas State defender and landed on the ground. Paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital and he was diagnosed with a concussion. Due to the NCAA’s concussion protocol, McCall did not play the rest of the season.

The graduate student transferred to NC State after spending five years at Coastal Carolina.

McCall entered the program as a highly-anticipated transfer. At Coastal, he became the only player to earn Sun Belt Player of the Year three times and left the program holding school records in total touchdowns (106), touchdown passes (88) and passing yards (10,005).

He appeared in four games at N.C. State, contributing 518 passing yards and three touchdowns.

McCall finished his career with 11,653 yards of total offense, 91 passing touchdowns and 18 rushing touchdowns.

He will remain an active member of the team, participating in team meetings, attending practices and traveling. True freshman CJ Bailey will remain the starter, with Lex Thomas serving as his backup.

“He’s still a captain. He’s still leading,” Doeren said. “He’s helping CJ and Lex at meetings. At practice today, he was fantastic. He’s out there giving them advice, talking about what he sees. And he loves the game of football, he loves the brotherhood of football. He’s going to be really good, if that’s the path.”