Jumping Off the CHUCK-Wagon?
Posted September 25, 2005, 10:57 AM ET

The Carter-Finley Stadium scoreboard said it all...UNC 31 NC STATE 24.

This past Saturday was rock-bottom for Chuck Amato.

Wolfpack Nation has seen enough of the penalties, mistakes and undisciplined play from their beloved team, and they want some answers from their charismatic head coach.

Chuck Amato is in his sixth season as the leader of the State football program, and he has done a masterful job of bringing the Wolfpack Nation together and believing that the Pack could be an ACC power and consistent Top 25 program.

Anybody that has traveled to Raleigh to watch a game at newly remodeled Carter-Finley would be impressed. The place looks great, and the fans have certainly bought into Amato's vision that State can get it done with facilities, fans and football.

Our Southern Fried Football™ Tour made the stop last week in Raleigh, and the fans were great...the tailgating was a blast...and the stadium was waiting to rock. The only problem is that the archenemy from Chapel Hill punched the Pack right in the face with a brand of good old-fashioned football. It was also UNC's first win of the season, and a victory of which Tar Heel fans will remind their Raleigh neighbors every time a Wolfpack fan wants to talk football.

For State and their red-clad fans, losing this game is inexcusable. And listening to the fan base walking back to their tailgate parties afterwards...well, it is now time to place Chuck Amato and his staff in the lead "hot seat" chair in the ACC. It is a spot that is normally reserved for UNC's John Bunting and Clemson's Tommy Bowden, but now Amato has the exclusive reservation...and by the look and sound of things, Chuck might have that distinction for some time to come.

Chuck Amato and the Wolfpack have caught some heat from critics for feeding on weaker non-conference opponents to pad their record. I normally hear that from other fan bases on Tobacco Road, but there is no escaping the ACC record.

Amato is currently 20-22 in ACC play during his tenure in Raleigh. That is called mediocrity. And for the first time since returning to his alma mater, Amato now has to deal with a fan base that isn't buying into the hype. It is time for Amato and the Pack to show what type of character this team and program are made of....forget the cool shades, the red shoes, the videos on the scoreboard, fireworks and new football center....it is time for Chuck Amato and NC State to stand up and be accountable.

The stupid mistakes, endless penalties and "fluff" surrounding the program now need to be replaced by a head coach and staff that must take responsibility and win some games. Amato has done a masterful sales job with the fans and administration in upgrading the Wolfpack's facilities; now, the personable coach faces his toughest sales job yet...proving he has what it takes on the field to get the Pack to the promised land.