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Philip Rivers Discusses NC State Coaching Rumors
Confirmed
In Short: Former NC State quarterback Philip Rivers has been linked to the school's vacant head coaching position after Dave Doeren was recently fired.
Former NC State quarterback Philip Rivers has been linked to the school's vacant head coaching position after Dave Doeren was recently fired. Rivers, who played for NC State from 2000 to 2003, told Ben Thomas of AL.com that NC State is special to him, but there is nothing imminent about a potential return to the school.
Rivers, who currently works as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports, has engaged in serious discussions with NC State about the coaching position, though sources have told ESPN that a deal isn't yet close. Rivers has told NC State that he wants to finish the current high school season before making any decisions.
According to On3.com's Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, and Pete Nakos, Rivers has 'emerged as the focus' of the coaching search. Rivers set an NCAA record by starting all 51 games during his college career, throwing for 13,484 yards with 95 touchdowns.
NC State is in danger of compiling its second losing record in three years, which would be a significant departure from the school's recent success. Dave Doeren, who was fired after a loss to Stanford, was the school's all-time leader in coaching victories with 98 wins over 14 years.
Rivers is currently coaching at St. Michael Catholic High School, where he has a 48-19 record in his sixth year. His son, Gunner Rivers, is a high school quarterback who has thrown for 10,847 yards with 119 touchdowns in his career.
Despite his lack of college coaching experience, Rivers has been a popular choice among fans and media outlets. NC State Chancellor Kevin Howell and Athletics Director Boo Corrigan have announced an advisory group that includes former NFL coach Mike Tomlin, among others, to help with the search.
NC State's fanbase is known for its enthusiasm and support, and the school is eager to find a new coach who can bring renewed energy to the program. Rivers' connection to the school and his NFL experience make him an intriguing candidate, but his lack of college coaching experience could be a factor in the decision-making process.
The NC State job is the second Power Five coaching position to come open recently, and the school is under pressure to find a strong candidate who can lead the program to success.
What this adds
Rivers has not yet committed to taking the NC State coaching position and wants to finish the current high school season before making any decisions.
What's confirmed
- "Coach Doeren, what he did over 14 years, all-time winningest coach, a ton of respect and appreciation for how he went about it with the university. There's nothing there at this point."
- "I'm excited about this postseason with these guys here. It's like I told you last year, you never say never. But there's nothing imminent."
What's still developing
- The eight-time Pro Bowler spent his college career with the Wolfpack from 2000-03, appearing in 49 games for them.
- However, the publication also noted that his lack of college coaching experience could hamper his chances of securing the role.
- Rivers texted AL.com on Monday saying he knows about the talk.
- Rivers, who has never coached in college, led the Cardinals to the state playoff semifinals the previous two seasons.
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- Gunner Rivers returns from Week 1 knee injury, Immediately Delivers for St.
- Rivers started a then-NCAA record 51 consecutive games for NC State from 2000 to 2003, leading the Wolfpack to a school-record 11-3 mark in 2002.
- Gunner Rivers is still recovering from a right leg injury and didn’t play in a 53-32 loss.
- When our CBS Sports insiders began canvassing the landscape for coaching candidates immediately after Doeren was fired, the initial hot list features three current head coaches, three hot coordinators... and NC State legend Philip Rivers.
- Hiring Rivers would require a leap of faith for the Wolfpack, but when Rivers came out of retirement for the Indianapolis Colts last year, there was plenty of scuttlebutt about his potential as a future NFL coach once his son graduated.
- Running a successful college football program in 2026 requires a unique set of skills, and NC State would need to make a quick, honest assessment of Rivers' strengths and weaknesses and fill those gaps with strong hires around him in terms of personnel, NIL, fundraising and all of the things that go on off the field that contribute to success or failure.