NC State Set to Finalize Deal Hiring Philip Rivers as Head Coach
Former NFL star quarterback Philip Rivers is set to be named NC State's next head football coach following a Friday board meeting.
🎓College SportsPhoto: ESPN College Football
Key points
- NC State board expected to finalize Philip Rivers' head coaching contract on Friday.
- Rivers replaces Dave Doeren after spending six years coaching Alabama high school football.
- The 44-year-old former NFL quarterback set school records with 13,484 passing yards at NC State from 2000 to 2003.
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State University is expected to finalize a contract on Friday to appoint legendary former quarterback Philip Rivers as its next head football coach, according to ESPN reports. The 44-year-old fills the vacancy created when Dave Doeren was fired on Oct. 24, emerging as the top choice from a search that also included discussions with former Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson.
Rivers returns to his alma mater after six seasons coaching at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where he built the football program and reached the state semifinals in both 2024 and 2025. Rivers insisted on completing his high school squad's playoff run before concluding negotiations. As a player at NC State from 2000 to 2003 under the late Chuck Amato, Rivers set ACC benchmarks with 13,484 passing yards and 95 touchdowns across four straight bowl appearances.
The move also unites Rivers with his son, Gunner, a highly rated quarterback prospect who committed to NC State on Feb. 23 after throwing for 10,847 yards and 119 touchdowns in high school. Rivers brings 17 years of NFL playing experience to Raleigh, primarily with the Chargers, alongside a brief coaching interview with the Buffalo Bills in January. What to watch next: The NC State board of trustees will convene Friday to formally vote on and sign Rivers' contract.
Source ESPN College Football — espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/50456831/sources-philip-rivers… ↗
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