St. Michael coach Philip Rivers says no NC State job talks are imminent
Philip Rivers told AL.com that, despite speculation, there are no current discussions about him becoming the next head coach at North Carolina State, and he remains focused on his team’s postseason.
St. Michael Catholic head coach Philip Rivers addressed circulating speculation that he could be a candidate for the North Carolina State head-coaching vacancy after the Cardinals’ Friday night loss in Fairhope, Alabama.
"N.C. State is special to me," Rivers said in an exclusive interview with AL.com. "Coach (Dave) Doeren, what he did over 14 years, all-time winningest coach, I have a ton of respect for what he did and how he went about it with the University. There is nothing there at this point. You understand the chatter that is out there. You take it one day at a time. I’m excited about this postseason with these guys. Like I said last year, you never say never, but there is nothing imminent."
Rivers, who played at NC State from 2000 to 2003 and is a likely future Hall of Famer, has never coached above the high-school level. He noted that his recent return to professional football with the Buffalo Bills was a personal experience rather than a factor in any potential college job.
"The NFL last year with the Buffalo thing was intriguing. I don’t even know where I stood in that mix but going through that process was exciting as well and getting a taste of playing again was a lot of fun," he said.
He added that his priority is guiding St. Michael’s seniors through the Double-A playoffs, where the Cardinals will face Glenwood in the first round after a 53-32 defeat to Foley ended their six-game winning streak.
College football analyst Danny Kanell posted on social media that Rivers would be a logical choice for NC State, citing his success at the high-school level. Inside Pack Sports owner James Henderson, a former NC State player, said Rivers could generate significant enthusiasm and donor interest if hired, but acknowledged the lack of college-coaching experience as a risk.
NC State announced that former NFL coach Bill Cowher and ex-Wolfpack defensive back Dewayne Washington will advise athletic director Boo Corrigan in the ongoing search. Running backs coach Todd Goebbel is serving as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.