NC State fires former UVA OC Robert Anae

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Former Virginia offensive coordinator Robert Anae was fired by NC State on Monday, following the Wolfpack’s 26-21 upset loss to East Carolina in the Military Bowl.

Anae, 66, was released after two seasons at State with the Wolfpack having posted a 15-11 overall record, including 6-7 this past season. Anae, who will be remembered by Virginia fans for an unsuccessful “tackle-eligible” pass play with the entire season on the line against rival Virginia Tech in 2021, lasted only one season at Syracuse in 2022 before taking the OC job at NC State.

The Wolfpack must pay Anae a $900,000 buyout after signing him to a two-year extension last January.

State coach Dave Doren described Anae as “a master at taking the personnel he has and making it work,” when he hired him, never made that materialize in Raleigh and has been replaced by quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper.

In fact, the Wolfpack’s offense was 10th in the ACC in scoring offense and suffered four losses in one-possession games last season, including the Military Bowl. Anae’s 2023 offense was ninth in the conference in scoring.