It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Martin Luther King, Jr National Historical Park in King, NC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in King, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Excellent Senior Care Provider! I highly recommend this senior care provider to anyone looking for compassionate”
“I reached out to Cody and he was amazing and a life saver I had both”
“Cody Edwards has spent the last two months helping our family as we walked a”
“Cody was extremely helpful finding an assisted living facility for our loved one. His guidance”
“Always Best Care (ABC) is a top-notch reliable sitter service covering the Piedmont Triad in”
“I worked with Karla Dixon on a referral. Karla was very involved and helped facilitate”
“I’ve seen firsthand the excellent care Always Best Care Senior Services provides. Their team is”
“The staff here are compassionate, professional, and truly go above and beyond. You can tell”
“5 stars all the way—professional, compassionate, and reliable. You can tell they genuinely care!”
“Great work provided by this company, and great staff to execute their goals!”
“To see the work this company puts in to make sure their clients needs are”
“Not only is the care they provide outstanding, but the support from the front office”
“It’s rare to find a company where both the caregivers and the office staff are”
“Kaitlyn Jones is absolutely the best. Hands down!”
“Quick responses, clear communication, and a very friendly admin team. Everything was handled efficiently and”
“Cody was very helpful getting tours setup for my daughter and me to tour independent”
“We thoroughly enjoyed working with Cody while exploring independent living facilities for my mom. He”
“Great care for your loved ones!”
“They have a good work team very satisfied with their care”
“Always Best Care will not disappoint! They truly provide the best service for all of”
“Always Best Care Services has been a wonderful experience, and Leslie Christian was especially helpful”
“Absolutely fantastic caregivers, support staff and management. If you ever need any assistance CALL ABC.”
“If you ever get Alexis on the phone, you’re in for a great experience. She’s”
“We have had a great start with Always Best Care. They send daily caregivers to”
“I am very happy with this provider's service. Cody was our coordinator, and he helped”
“Excellent Senior Care Provider! I highly recommend this senior care provider to anyone looking for compassionate and dependable care for their loved ones. The team is caring, professional, and dedicated to making sure each resident receives the attention and support they deserve. They go above and beyond to create a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment. Their commitment to the well-being of seniors and their families truly makes a difference. It’s reassuring to know that there are care providers who treat every individual with dignity, kindness, and respect. Thank you for all that you do! Highly recommend this wonderful senior care provider! Thank you Cody Edwards!”
“I reached out to Cody and he was amazing and a life saver I had both of my parents in need of a asst living who are in their 90’s and he was able to place them and help me navigate the nightmare of paperwork, of moving out of state, and all the medical issues I recommend him for anyone who is going through this”
“Cody Edwards has spent the last two months helping our family as we walked a difficult journey with a sick loved one. He worked very hard to help us in spite of challenges and setbacks. He has a great attitude, always positive and solution-oriented! Laurie Hopkins, Hickory NC”
“Cody was extremely helpful finding an assisted living facility for our loved one. His guidance and knowledge made an extremely difficult situation easy. He was able to work with our schedule and set everything up. We thank you so much for all your help and for the follow up.”
“Always Best Care (ABC) is a top-notch reliable sitter service covering the Piedmont Triad in NC. Their internal staff is professional and efficient. They are always happy to answer any questions or concerns and they always respond in a very timely manner. ABC has quality sitters who will provide excellent care for your loved one with compassion, whether in a home or in a care facility. Always Best Care is appropriately named because they have “always” provided the “best care” to my mother-in-law, who has dementia. They have been helping her daily for the past three years. We are grateful for ABC’s help!”
“I worked with Karla Dixon on a referral. Karla was very involved and helped facilitate the meeting and tour. Loved working with her and look forward to our partnership in the future!!!!”
“I’ve seen firsthand the excellent care Always Best Care Senior Services provides. Their team is professional, compassionate, and truly dedicated to the well-being of those they serve. I highly recommend their services to anyone who may need them!”
“The staff here are compassionate, professional, and truly go above and beyond. You can tell they genuinely care about their clients and their families.”
“5 stars all the way—professional, compassionate, and reliable. You can tell they genuinely care!”
“Great work provided by this company, and great staff to execute their goals!”
“To see the work this company puts in to make sure their clients needs are met, means a lot to the community. Having care you can trust means the world to the families in need. From the first interaction over the phone to a smiling face that greets you at the door, this company is great for in home care!”
“Not only is the care they provide outstanding, but the support from the front office is just as impressive. It’s comforting knowing you can call and talk to someone who genuinely cares and helps guide you through everything.”
“It’s rare to find a company where both the caregivers and the office staff are this compassionate. From day one, the entire team made us feel comfortable and answered so many of our questions with guidance.”
“Kaitlyn Jones is absolutely the best. Hands down!”
“Quick responses, clear communication, and a very friendly admin team. Everything was handled efficiently and professionally.”
“Cody was very helpful getting tours setup for my daughter and me to tour independent living facilities. He contacted the facility and got all the needed information. He kept us well informed of what to expect. I appreciated his services. Cody is very caring.”
“We thoroughly enjoyed working with Cody while exploring independent living facilities for my mom. He spent time talking with us to learn what my mom was looking for in a place to live during the next chapters of her life and shared a variety of options. He scheduled and accompanied us on the tours. Cody was thorough, patient, kind and answered all of our questions. Even though my mom chose not to pursue independent living at this time, we appreciated the time Cody spent working with us and he will be the first call we make when/if she decides to pursue this route in the future. Thank you Cody!!!!”
“Great care for your loved ones!”
“They have a good work team very satisfied with their care”
“Always Best Care will not disappoint! They truly provide the best service for all of your in home care needs!”
“Always Best Care Services has been a wonderful experience, and Leslie Christian was especially helpful throughout the process. She was kind, professional, and took the time to answer questions and make everything feel easy and comfortable. It’s clear that she truly cares and wants to provide the best support possible. I would definitely recommend Always Best Care Services to anyone looking for dependable and compassionate care.”
“Absolutely fantastic caregivers, support staff and management. If you ever need any assistance CALL ABC. They were absolutley fabulous for our family.”
“If you ever get Alexis on the phone, you’re in for a great experience. She’s funny, lively, and full of great energy. I actually caught myself laughing during the call, which almost never happens when calling places. Just a genuinely positive person who makes the conversation easy and enjoyable. Loved the energy! -cora”
“We have had a great start with Always Best Care. They send daily caregivers to help my mother and always follow their well-thought out care plan. Their program is very organized and they are great with communication. Our caregiver, Allison, is especially fabulous ... she is ABOVE and BEYOND. She is so thorough, creative, and thoughtful. We feel very lucky to be on her list!”
“I am very happy with this provider's service. Cody was our coordinator, and he helped my family and I find a caring, affordable, and beautiful assisted living facility for my mother. He was thorough and kind, keeping us updated with new finds and even helping me into one of the facilities we were touring with an umbrella against the pouring rain. He asked all the right questions, ensuring we found a good fit. After much searching, Cody ultimately discovered the place my mother is at now. Thanks for all the help, Cody!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting King Central Park in King, NC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Town Country Restaurant or visit Kings Mountain Historical Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in King, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in King, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in King, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
NC State safety King Mack discusses his time in Raleigh, the start of fall camp, and much more with the media.NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!On having played for three different schools…Experience. Being able to experience different programs, different coaches. So, you have the mentality to learn all over again. So, I knew once I came back, I had to learn all over again. And also taking freshmen and showing them the way....
NC State safety King Mack discusses his time in Raleigh, the start of fall camp, and much more with the media.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
On having played for three different schools…
Experience. Being able to experience different programs, different coaches. So, you have the mentality to learn all over again. So, I knew once I came back, I had to learn all over again. And also taking freshmen and showing them the way.
What's it been like to be reunited with your high school teammates or high school opponents?
It's crazy because Chance (Robinson) and I went to high school together. I was a pound above him, JoJo Trader, CJ Bailey, and Davion Gause. Seeing all of them, it's crazy. Every day, every time I see them, it’s like Ravenspark all over again. It's wonderful. It's great to have; it's a family-oriented team.
A lot of people knew each other for a while. So, I feel like that's so important because once we go on the field on Saturday, you're playing for somebody. You can't tell them they're not going to give it your all.
Especially when you know their background, you know where they came from. You know their why. Once you know their why, it definitely gives you a reason to go hard.
Do you have a favorite memory of playing together in high school or playing against each other?
Winning. Winning is my favorite memory. Winning. Holding that trophy. Watching them hold the trophy when they won it. It was one year, actually. My pal won the Super Bowl, and their pal won the Super Bowl. They played right after us. No, right before us.
We played after them. We've been winners since we were young.
What's your best story of watching CJ growing up? Seeing him as a quarterback.
See, what a lot of people don't know, CJ is very, very physical. So, I literally coach. Like now, in college, there's no hidden quarterback. Always there's a quarterback. CJ, CJ was one of those quarterbacks, where he's not trying to juke you.
Yeah, he's the tallest, so he's not going to try to steal from you. He's going to run you over. That's why I tell everyone out there, don't get CJ in the state. He got in the tank. I've seen it.
Did you get run over?
No, sir.
If we asked him that, would he say the same thing?
If I got run over? Knowing CJ, he's going to say he would. Ain't nobody beat his confidence. That's why he's the best quarterback. CJ's the most confident person I’ve ever known. Bet on himself every time.
Did your eyes light up when you saw your speed rating for a video game?
It didn’t, honestly. I know what I ran in the 40s, so I wasn't shocked. I know the numbers I put on the catapult. It's not shocking.
What was your best 100-meter dash?
My best 100 in high school was a 10- no, 10-5. I was really a 400 right there in high school. I was a 400 state champ.
How much did having CJ and the other guys here help you decide to transfer here, or did that not really play into evaluating what NC State had to offer?
Honestly, once I had that conversation with Coach Doeren, because I talked to CJ after the fact. Once I had that conversation with Coach Doeren, he told me, "I'm tired of coming in second." I want to win, so I'm going to get whoever I need to get to win.
There's no arguing or going against that. At the end of the day, we all have the same goal. That's to win. I sat down and talked to him, and he told me that CJ's going to be leading us. Why not? That's no second question.
It's basically home now. I came here, and it was open arms. It wasn't- I'd say this was probably the most- No, it was the most easiest transition I've ever had. The easiest transition.
Is part of that because things are so stable here, where maybe things were not as stable the last couple of years at other schools?
Stability, definitely. Also, it's the chip on their shoulder. Coach Doeren, he makes us have a chip on our shoulder. That chip that- oh, sorry. That chip on our shoulder that he instills into us, that's what's going to make us so great.
Coach Eliot was talking about you walking into a stadium, no big deal. You played in front of 100,000 people. What is that like when you try to convey to the younger players what a game day experience is like?
I always tell them this is the same game you've been playing since you were young. The only difference is that it's a crowd. It's more audience. I always tell them, don't panic. That same player we were in high school, that same star we were in high school, it's the same sport.
Nothing changed about the sport. It's more- first, it's someone who's just as good as you. Second, it's more IQ. You gotta have a higher IQ. You can't just go out there and rely on talent. Skill, technique, understanding the game, and understanding concepts.
I tell all the freshmen all the time, listen, bro, don't come into college and don't let it overwhelm you. Attack it. Attack it. Why not? You're not.
You're obviously the oldest guy in there, but a lot of the guys who played last year- how cool has it been for you to see those guys kind of develop and just keep getting better? Whether it's Ronnie, Brody, or guys like that.
We have a very, very talented safety room. From the freshmen up, Chino Aguirre, Pluto Surratt, we got a lot of talent in that room. It's a great experience.
Just even watching the film from last year and seeing how young they were, and they were able to just go out there and make it happen. It shows you, right back to what I said before, it's the same game. It's a different crowd.
They were able to go out there last year, and they played well. They did, honestly. I'm confident in my room. I'm confident in Coach Warren's coaching. I have no doubts.
Did you have any past relationships with Coach Warren?
Yes. Coach Warren actually recruited me out of high school when he was at UNC. I would say I got two people.
On players in the secondary who stand out...
Jackson Vick and Ronnie Royal. The reason I say that is Jackson is him and me; he's a vet. He's a vet, so he understands the game.
He's got that experience. You can't tell Ronnie he can't do anything. Ronnie would look at a brick wall, and you're like, there's no way he's going to run through this brick wall.
He's going to run through the brick wall and show you how to run through the brick wall. Then he's going to go up to you out there and say I told you. Ronnie and Vick, those two right there, those two, they saw me when I got here.
Did you see that on the film when you watched how Ronnie was playing last year?
Oh yeah, Ronnie a hitter. Ronnie is a hitter; he is a playmaker.
King Mack brings experience to the NC State secondary, but the swagger he plays with has helped lift the entire room heading into the 2026 season.247Sports Embed ResourceRALEIGH, N.C. -- In 's second year as NC State's defensive coordinator, a handful of the names he brought in to fit his system have been making noise in fall camp. King Mack is one of them.Through the opening days of fall camp, Mack is already validating the move. He ran with the first-team defense on the opening day of camp Wednesday, stepping immedia...
247Sports Embed Resource
RALEIGH, N.C. -- In 's second year as NC State's defensive coordinator, a handful of the names he brought in to fit his system have been making noise in fall camp. King Mack is one of them.
Through the opening days of fall camp, Mack is already validating the move. He ran with the first-team defense on the opening day of camp Wednesday, stepping immediately into a starting role at a position that was arguably the Wolfpack's biggest weakness a season ago.
NC State's defense, specifically the secondary, was victim to an injury bug for the majority of the season leading to a 113th nationally ranked secondary. Mack's arrival represents the kind of proven, power-conference reinforcement the group is looking for heading into the 2026 season. And Eliot's made clear this week that the value goes beyond the tape.
"It helps tremendously," Eliot said. "Just like the other veteran players who came in at other positions, it gives you a good mix of maturity and youth. King's played in a lot of big games, so when those lights come on, it's not going to be anything new to him. He's been in those environments, and he's going to be able to execute when we need him to."
Mack sees it the same way. Asked how he conveys the jump to a bigger stage to younger players, he waved off the idea that a louder venue changes anything.
"This is the same game you've been playing since you were young. The only difference is the crowd — it's more audience," Mack said. "You're the same player you were in high school, the same star you were in high school. It's the same sport. Nothing changed about the sport."
The résumé backs up the confidence. A former four-star recruit and consensus top-100 national prospect out of St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Mack played the best football of his career in 2025, appearing in all 13 games for a Penn State team with championship expectations and starting eight of them. He finished the year with 58 tackles, fourth-most on the roster, paired with three pass breakups and an interception.
The advanced numbers are where Mack separates himself. Pro Football Focus handed him a 79.0 overall defensive grade across a career-high 493 snaps, seventh-best among all transfer safeties in the country. His 83.2 coverage grade came after he allowed just 67 yards on 13 targets all season, and his 80.1 tackling grade led the entire Penn State defense — a rare combination of cover skill and physicality for a back-end defender.
"Honestly, once I had that conversation with Coach Doeren and he told me, 'I'm tired of coming in second, I want to win. I'm going to get whoever I need to get to win,'" Mack said. "There's no arguing or going against that. At the end of the day, we all have the same goal, and that's to win."
Just as important as the on-field experience is what Mack brings when he's off the field. NC State returned young talent at safety in Tristan Teasdell and Asaad Brown Jr., who both flashed late last season out of necessity, but the group lacked a long-term anchor. Mack, who has now suited up at Penn State, Alabama and back at Penn State, gives the unit a voice that has been through the fire of Big Ten and SEC football.
The path to Raleigh has been anything but linear. Mack signed with Penn State in 2023, spent a year at Alabama in 2024, then returned to Penn State before making the jump to NC State this offseason — a journey that has left him with a hard-won perspective on what it takes to reset and re-establish himself in a new program.
"You have the mentality of, 'I've got to learn all over again,'" Mack said. "I knew once I came here I was going to have to learn all over again, and attacking that the best way you can."
Now the learning is nearly done, and the payoff is coming. The lights come on Aug. 29 in Charlottesville — and if the opening days of camp are any indication, King Mack's name is one Wolfpack fans should expect to hear all season long.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- NC State football got back to .500 with a 41-31 win over App State on Saturday night, but it didn't come easy. After building a 21-0 lead in the second quarter, the Wolfpack watched the Mountaineers score 14 points in less than two minutes to tie the game at 31 with 9:41 remaining. They responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive to retake the lead and never gave it back.
For this feature, we'll highlight five players who made the biggest impact for the Wolfpack on offense, defense or special teams for every given week. Here's a look at five stars for the Wolfpack in the win over the Mountaineers.
At this point, there's no debate about who CJ Bailey's No. 1 receiver is. Keenan Jackson came into Saturday fresh off ACC Wide Receiver of the Week honors after a nine-catch, 102-yard, three-touchdown performance at Vanderbilt. That was his second straight 100-yard game after his 123-yard breakout against Richmond, making him the first Wolfpack receiver to do that since Jakobi Meyers in 2018.
Jackson fell short of becoming the first NC State receiver with three straight 100-yard games since T.J. Graham in 2011, but he still led the team with four receptions for 64 yards and found the end zone for the second straight week. His 17-yard touchdown with 39 seconds left in the first half put NC State up 28-7, two plays after he converted a 3rd-and-1. His biggest catch came late, though: a 19-yard reception on the first play of the go-ahead drive after App State tied the game.
Through four games, Jackson has 19 catches for 295 yards and four touchdowns. When the Pack need a play, the ball is going to him.
Stopping App State's passing attack was a problem all night, but the run defense was a different story. The Mountaineers finished with just 62 rushing yards on 2.8 yards per carry, and Popo Aguirre was in the middle of almost all of it.
Aguirre led NC State with 10 total tackles, five of them solo, which was double anyone else on the defense. That included a tackle for loss on a Malachi Singleton run in the second quarter on a drive that ended in a turnover on downs. With the secondary giving up 317 passing yards, Aguirre's consistency in the run game kept App State one-dimensional for most of the night.
Jackson Vick doesn't have a flashy stat line, with five solo tackles and two pass breakups, but both breakups came when NC State needed them most. On App State's first possession after Duke Scott's go-ahead score, the Mountaineers faced a 4th-and-2 at their own 33 with just over four minutes left. Vick broke up Singleton's pass to Nate Branch, the Pack took over on downs and turned it into a two-score lead.
Then on App State's final drive, Vick broke up the first-down pass to Branch again. After his first career interception against Richmond, Vick keeps making plays when the ball comes his way. For a secondary that got stretched by Sam Pickett III and company, that reliability matters.
After last week's ending at Vanderbilt, all eyes were on CJ Bailey. He answered by accounting for three touchdowns, going 24-of-33 for 253 yards and two scores through the air while adding a 5-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive.
Bailey completed 72.7 percent of his passes and spread the ball to 10 different receivers, with touchdowns to Ashton Locklear and Keenan Jackson. The offense converted 11 of 17 third downs and went 7-for-7 in the red zone.
It wasn't perfect. His fourth-quarter interception, with NC State up 31-17, gave App State the ball at the Wolfpack 42 and kicked off the comeback. But Bailey didn't let that mistake snowball like it could have, and that's a good sign with Louisville coming to town.
Duke Scott carried the ball 25 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry, and saved his best for when the Wolfpack needed it most.
With the game tied at 31, Scott carried the offense on the go-ahead drive. He had 44 yards on that possession alone, including a 14-yard run to open it, a 6-yard run to convert a 3rd-and-2 and the 16-yard touchdown run to put the Pack back in front with 5:08 remaining. Scott also set up Bailey's opening touchdown with a 24-yard run to the App State 5 and scored himself on a 9-yard run late in the first quarter.
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