Dana Bible had always wanted to be a head coach one day, but not necessarily in this manner.

The NC State interim coach against Vanderbilt in the Music City Bowl game Dec. 31, joked Friday that he is wearing many hats. Bible, who is also the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, has added several other duties, but will try to keep some things the same on game day.

Bible will remain in the booth while defensive coordinator Mike Archer will be the coaching conduit on the ground. Archer went 27-18-1 as head coach at LSU (1987-1990), including 1-1 in bowl games.

"We've thought this through and talked this through, and we want to keep change to a minimum, and Mike will step up in that role if need be on the field," Bible said. "I'm going to do the very best I can to put this team to be successful, and the coaches are the same way."

NC State's staff has also shrunk with the firing of coach Tom O'Brien on Nov. 25, going from 10 full-time members to nine for the bowl game.

"Basically, the staff is intact and I've just added more duties and that is the way we've approached this," Bible said. "We have the blueprint on how to make this successful. We are going to keep any kind of change to a minimum.

"There is a difference because I'm in a different role. Quite honestly, it's exciting."

The 7-5 Wolfpack are in their fourth bowl game over the last five years, and have gone 2-1 in the previous three with wins over West Virginia in 2010 and Louisville in 2011. A likely victory over Rutgers was dashed when former star quarterback Russell Wilson injured his knee in 2008. The blueprint for bowl success is well known by the former assistant coaches under O'Brien.

"This is an important game for us, and the next game," Bible said. "It's a great opponent and has a lot of reasons to be an exciting game. Quite honestly, the coaching staff and all the players, we are looking forward to this game. This is our last chance together, and it's important for us to finish strong."

NC State has been practicing the last few days, but the concentration this month was more on the academic side in making sure the players finished the first semester strong.

"We've finished finals yesterday, and we had the opportunity to practice on the weekend four times over the last two weeks," Bible said. "The focus was on academics and finals. We came out and sort of kept them involved with football."

New Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren has attended some of the practices, but mostly has just blended in.

"He isn't involved in the preparation for the bowl game," Bible said.

Vanderbilt carries an 8-4 record and six straight wins down the stretch into the Music City Bowl.

"We tell our players, there are no bad teams that you play in the bowl game," Bible said. "You are playing the top guys and they are bringing their 'A' game. It's a chance for us to bring our 'A' game and match up. Any time there is that kind of challenge, you want to run with it.

"[Vanderbilt] is a strong team and outstanding football team, so that gets your attention right from the start. They'll be ready."