Philip Rivers to return to NC State as head football coach

Philip Rivers is set to return to NC State as the Wolfpack's head football coach, according to reports from Yahoo Sports and On3.

Hiring details

After multiple days of negotiations, Rivers is set to become NC State's new head football coach, with the school planning to hire him to take over at the end of the season, Yahoo Sports reported, citing On3. On3 reported that Rivers has officially accepted the job and that an official announcement is expected in the coming days.

NC State fired Dave Doeren after a 3-4 start to the 2026 season that included a loss to Vanderbilt. The Wolfpack are 4-5 after a loss to Duke in Week 10 and need to win two of their final three games under interim coach Todd Goebbel to make a bowl game. Doeren had been NC State's coach since 2013 and led the school to eight seasons of eight or more wins. On3 states Doeren led the Wolfpack to a 98-73 record over his 14-season tenure.

Rivers' background

Rivers, 44, does not have any collegiate coaching experience and is currently the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama. His son, Gunner Rivers, is St. Michael's quarterback and is a longtime NC State commit and a four-star prospect in the class of 2027.

Rivers was a four-year quarterback at NC State from 2000 to 2003 before he was the No. 4 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He was drafted by the Giants and then traded to the Chargers. Before he was drafted, Rivers was the 2003 ACC player of the year and finished seventh in Heisman voting that season. He played 16 seasons with the Chargers before playing his final full NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020. He was out of the league for four seasons before the Colts signed him near the end of the 2025 season because of Daniel Jones' Achilles injury. Rivers started three games as the Colts attempted to make the playoffs, but Indianapolis lost all three and missed the postseason.

On3 notes that Rivers earned eight Pro Bowl selections over his 18-year NFL career and has his No. 17 jersey retired by the program. Saturday Blitz reports that Rivers started 51 games at NC State, threw for over 13,000 yards and 95 touchdowns, and was named ACC Player of the Year as a senior.

Fan reaction

ABC11 reported that fans and supporters are imagining what Rivers' homecoming could mean. Dave Parker, a shareholder at Amedeo's Italian Restaurant near campus, said the restaurant has a booth waiting for Rivers and a sign ordered. Cory Smith, host of the Pack Power podcast, said Rivers' stature within the program could help reconnect alumni, donors and fans who remember his playing days.

Why it matters

Rivers would be taking over a program that has been stuck in mediocrity and hit a low point this season, currently sitting at 4-5 after firing Dave Doeren midway through the season. His hiring would mark a move from the high school ranks to the college ranks for a former NFL quarterback with no collegiate coaching experience.

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Sources

• sports.yahoo.com: Longtime NFL QB and former NC State QB Philip Rivers reportedly set to be Wolfpack's new head coach - Yahoo Sports
• on3.com: Philip Rivers officially accepts NC State job, will be next head coach - On3
• abc11.com: Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers' expected return has NC State fans dreaming of a revival - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham
• saturdayblitz.com: Philip Rivers joins list of college football coaches who returned to their former schools to become head coach

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.