Kurt Roper

Biography

Rice ‘96 31st year in coaching, 8th at NC State PLAYING EXPERIENCE: COLLEGE – Three-year letter winner at quarterback and defensive back for Rice (1992-94). EDUCATION: Earned a B.S. in human performance from Rice in 1995 and a master’s from Tennessee in 1998. PERSONAL: Born in Ames, Iowa, on July 25, 1972. Married to the former Britt Albertson, a Trinity, N.C., native. The couple has a daughter Reese and son Luke. Brother Zac spent 24 years coaching in college football and is currently on the Wolfpack staff. Son of Bobby Roper, who was an All-South-west Conference (SWC) football player for Arkansas, winning a national title in 1974. As a coach, Bobby was the defensive coordinator for the 1976 National Champion Pitt Panthers. BOWL EXPERIENCE: AS A COACH (20): NC State - 2025 Gasparilla Bowl, 2024 GoBowling Military Bowl, 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl, 2022 Duke’s Mayo Bowl, 2021 Holiday Bowl*, 2020 Gator Bowl; South Carolina: 2017 Outback Bowl, 2016 Birmingham Bowl; Florida: 2014 Birmingham; Duke: 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl, 2012 Belk Bowl, 2008 Outback Bowl; Tennessee: 2007 Outback; Ole Miss: 2004 Cotton Bowl, 2002 Independence Bowl, 2000 Music City Bowl, 1999 Independence Bowl, 1999 Fiesta Bowl, 1998 Orange Bowl, 1997 Citrus Bowl. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: Overall: - Has been an offensive coordinator for 11 yeas - two SEC schools and two ACC schools. At NC State: - In 2025, running back Hollywood Smothers became the first Pack player in 28 years to lead the ACC in rushing yards. - Smothers and