Philip Rivers appointed head coach of NC State football

NC State announced former quarterback Philip Rivers as the new head coach of its football program after the university Board of Trustees approved a five-year contract worth $3.25 million per year. Rivers, 44, will be formally introduced at a news conference on Monday.

Athletics director Boo Corrigan said Rivers’ “love for this university is apparent” and noted that his “hard, tough, together” ethos aligns with the Wolfpack culture. Chancellor Kevin Howell expressed confidence in the hire, and board chairman Ed Stack said the appointment will help “take NC State football to the next level.”

Rivers, who played 51 games for the Wolfpack from 2000 to 2003 and later spent 18 seasons in the NFL, said, "> I gave it everything I had here as a player for 51 games and I will give it everything I have as the coach. There’s no denying that this is going to take hard work, but we’re not scared of hard. I look forward to getting after it every single day with an unbelievable coaching staff and a group of players who are dedicated to relentlessly pursuing victory."

He replaces Dave Doeren, who was dismissed after seven games into his 14th season. Doeren had been the program’s all-time winningest coach but never achieved a 10-win season or an ACC championship appearance. The university’s leadership said they are committed to providing the resources, infrastructure and NIL support needed for the program to compete for ACC titles and College Football Playoff berths.

Rivers previously coached at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, leading the team to back-to-back state semifinals in 2024 and 2025. Former teammates and coaches, including former offensive lineman Scott Kooistra and Duke coach Manny Diaz, praised his competitive drive and football knowledge.

The Wolfpack, currently 4-5 under interim coach Todd Goebbel, have three regular-season games remaining, with Rivers slated to coach his first game in the 2027 season against North Carolina A&T.