North Carolina State University and former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers are finalizing an agreement to make him the school’s next head football coach, according to multiple reports Sunday.
USA TODAY Sports first reported that the university and its former star signal-caller were working toward a deal after a week of discussions. The school’s board of trustees is scheduled to convene in the coming week to formally consider and approve the contract, Fox News reported through OutKick.
A Return to Raleigh
The move marks a dramatic homecoming for Rivers, 44, who starred for the Wolfpack from 2000 through 2003. As a senior, he won Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors before being selected fourth overall in the 2004 NFL draft. NC State previously retired his No. 17 jersey.
Rivers went on to play 17 seasons in the NFL, spending 16 years with the Chargers franchise and one with the Indianapolis Colts before retiring after the 2020 campaign. He briefly came out of retirement in December 2025 to start three games for the Colts.
Rivers replaces Dave Doeren, who was dismissed nearly two weeks ago amid a 3-4 start in his 14th season at the helm. Doeren departed as the winningest coach in Wolfpack history with a 98-74 record, having achieved at least eight victories in eight of his final 12 full seasons.
Transition From High School Ranks
Rivers has spent the past six seasons leading the football program at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where he compiled a 48-21 record. His team’s season concluded Friday, Nov. 6, following a 42-35 defeat against Glenwood High School in the opening round of the state playoffs.
Following that game, Rivers addressed the mounting speculation regarding his future.
“Just trying to be where my feet are right now. Really was looking forward to this playoff run and it all comes to an end tonight. We’ll see what the future holds,” Rivers said, according to USA TODAY Sports.
The coaching shift will also be a family affair. Rivers’ son, Gunner, played for him at St. Michael Catholic and has already committed to play quarterback for NC State, with plans to enroll in January, Fox News reported.
Staffing and Financial Backing
Because Rivers has never coached at the collegiate level, university officials and athletic director Boo Corrigan focused heavily during negotiations on providing the resources required to build an experienced staff, OutKick reported. Major boosters pledged funding to ensure Rivers has a substantial salary pool to recruit seasoned college assistants and front-office personnel, as well as resources to navigate roster construction and athlete compensation.
Rivers had already begun assembling potential staff members earlier in the week, USA TODAY Sports reported. While former NC State quarterback Russell Wilson also interviewed for the opening according to ESPN, that conversation took place after Rivers had begun formulating his coaching lineup.
School officials have not formally announced the hiring. Once the contract is finalized and cleared by the board of trustees, NC State is expected to introduce Rivers as the program’s new leader.
