NC State hires Boise State's Drinkwitz to run offense

Jan 11, 2016 - 11:10 PM RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina State has hired Boise State offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz to run the Wolfpack's attack and coach quarterbacks next year.

The school announced Drinkwitz's hiring with a news release Monday, roughly a week after the dismissal of Matt Canada - who has been hired as offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh.

In a statement, head coach Dave Doeren called Drinkwitz ''one of the bright and innovative offensive minds in our game'' who has been able to ''blend some of the most successful offensive styles in the game.''

Drinkwitz had spent the past two seasons at Boise State. He coached tight ends in his first year and then worked as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season.

The Broncos averaged 39.1 points and more than 500 yards of offense last season, ranking in the top 15 nationally in both scoring and total offense. He had previously spent two seasons at Arkansas State, coaching running backs both seasons and becoming co-offensive coordinator there in 2013.

Before heading to Arkansas State, Drinkwitz worked as a graduate assistant at Auburn with then-offensive coordinator and current Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn in 2010 and 2011. He also coached with Malzahn in the high school ranks.

North Carolina State (7-6) is losing two-year starter Jacoby Brissett at quarterback as well as three veteran linemen up front. That unit averaged 33.2 points and 412.8 yards, though the Wolfpack managed just 13 points in midseason losses to both Louisville and Virginia Tech.