Sports · American Football · 19 hrs ago
Philip Rivers and NC State are finalizing a deal for him to coach the Wolfpack
NC State is working to hire Philip Rivers as its next head football coach in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Rivers played quarterback for the Wolfpack from 2000 to 2003 and later spent 17 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Chargers.
He has coached at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama since 2021, but has never coached at the college level.
NC State fired Dave Doeren on October 24 after a loss to Stanford, and former Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson was also considered for the job.
Rivers would be taking on a program that has struggled to move beyond the middle of the ACC, and he will need to help strengthen the roster.
His son, quarterback Gunner Rivers, is committed to NC State, though Rivers said that was not the deciding factor in his choice.
The deal is not yet finalized, and NC State's board of trustees could consider his contract later this week.
NC State and Philip Rivers are finalizing a deal for him to become the Wolfpack’s next head coach.
Rivers would return to his alma mater, where he was the starting quarterback from 2000 to 2003.
The job would be Rivers’ first college coaching position; he has coached at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama since 2021.
He would replace Dave Doeren, who was fired in late October.
Rivers’ son, quarterback Gunner Rivers, is committed to join NC State.
- Who
- Philip Rivers and NC State.
- What
- They are finalizing a deal for Rivers to become the Wolfpack’s next head coach.
- When
- The reports were published on November 8, 2026; the deal was still being finalized.
- Where
- NC State in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Why
- NC State is seeking a new head coach after firing Dave Doeren.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rivers was NC State’s starting quarterback.
Rivers began coaching at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama.
NC State fired head coach Dave Doeren.
NC State and Rivers had been working on a deal, according to a source quoted by USA Today.
Reports said NC State and Rivers were finalizing a deal for him to become head coach.
- Rivers’ NC State playing years
- 2000–2003
- College passing yards
- 13,484
- NFL draft selection
- No. 4 overall in 2004
- High-school coaching
- St. Michael Catholic, Fairhope, Alabama, since 2021
- Previous NC State head coach
- Dave Doeren, fired in late October 2026
- Gunner Rivers
- Committed to join NC State’s 2027 recruiting class
7 sources
NC State To Hire Philip Rivers As HC
A Homecoming At NC State: Philip Rivers Reportedly Agrees To Become Wolfpack's Head Coach
Philip Rivers, NC State are finalizing a deal to make him the next head coach
NC State finalizing deal to hire Philip Rivers as next coach: Wolfpack betting big on program legend
NFL legend Philip Rivers 'finalizing deal' to become NC State coach after beating Russell Wilson to the job… and his son will be playing QB for him
Keeping it in the Pack: NC State eyes Rivers as top coach candidate, sources say
What people are saying
They’ve been working on a deal the entire past week
Not finalized but it’s getting there.
We’ll see what the future holds
Posts on X
BREAKING: NC State is working to finalize a deal to make Philip Rivers its next head coach, @Clowfb, @PeteNakos and @fleischman_noah report🐺 Rivers has begun reaching out to potential front office and coaching staff candidates. https://t.co/waGSCEsJls
Philip Rivers discusses the end of his season and the NC State job. @WRAL