NC State fired Dave Doeren after a 3-4 start to the season. This led to their first coaching search since before the 2013 season. The school interviewed some former quarterbacks in the process, as NC State spoke with both Philip Rivers and Russell Wilson.
Now, their next head coach has officially been named, according to Pete Nakos of On3.
“NC State legend and former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has accepted the head coaching job at his alma mater, sources tell Chris Low and me for On3. Rivers’ contract is expected to be voted on at Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting, with a press conference announcing his hiring expected early next week,” Nakos wrote.
Rivers played at NC State from 2000 through 2003, breaking nearly every NC State and ACC passing record in the process. He passed for 13,484 yards with 94 touchdowns in his time at NC State. Rivers was named the ACC player of the year in 2003, and his number 17 is retired by the Wolfpack. This will be his first head coaching job at the college level, but he was the head coach of St. Michael Catholic, a job he has held since 2021. He was 50-19 as the coach there.
The announcement of Rivers as the coach was confirmed by Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan, according to Ross Dellinger of Yahoo Sports.
Article Continues Below“Philip Rivers is one of one and the right person to lead NC State Football into its next era,” said Corrigan. “His accomplishments as a player at the collegiate and professional levels speak for themselves. But throughout this search process, what stood out to me most was his exceptional leadership ability, his character, the way he connects with people and his vision for this program. He is someone who is deeply respected and beloved by Wolfpack Nation, and I couldn't be more proud that he will be the one leading our football program.”
Rivers is getting a five-year deal from the school, although financial details around the deal have not been released. He will officially be introduced at a private event on November 16.