Philip Rivers identified as leading candidate in NC State head-coach search
Former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers is now the primary focus of the university's search for a new football head coach, though no hiring timeline has been set.
Philip Rivers, a former NC State quarterback and NFL veteran, has become the focal point of the university's search for a new head coach for the Wolfpack football program, according to a report from On3.com. The hiring process has no set timetable, as Rivers continues to coach high-school football in Alabama.
Rivers, who played for NC State from 2000 to 2003 before being selected fourth overall in the 2004 NFL draft, spent 16 seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, followed by stints with the Indianapolis Colts, including a brief return in 2023. He has been coaching at the high-school level since 2021 and previously interviewed for the Buffalo Bills' head-coaching vacancy earlier this year.
The search follows the dismissal of head coach Dave Doeren last Saturday. Rivers' son, Gunner, recently committed to attend NC State as part of the 2027 recruiting class, adding a personal connection to the potential hire.