The NC State Wolfpack need a head coach, and they’re reportedly targeting an all-time program great for the role.
On Saturday, ESPN college football reporters Mark Schlabach and Pete Thamel shared that eight-time Pro Bowl former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers “has engaged in serious discussions about returning to coach his alma mater,” although a hiring remains far from imminent following former coach Dave Doeren’s firing on Oct. 24.
NC State’s starting quarterback from 2000-03, Rivers has spent the past five seasons coaching at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, briefly coming out of NFL retirement to start three games for the Indianapolis Colts last December.
He discussed the rumors following a loss on Friday, per ESPN, telling Al.com, “I mean, shoot, NC State’s special to me,” while also noting that “There’s nothing there at this point.
“I guess it’s like I told you last year,” Rivers continued. “You never say never.”
Philip Rivers? NC State head coach? It sounds too good to be true. Here are five reasons why we need it to happen.
Instantly raises NC State’s profile
When’s the last time anyone outside of Raleigh thought of NC State football — and not because of something embarrassing it did? Exactly. You get the point.
Rivers may very well be in over his head as head coach of a power conference program, but at least until that opening kickoff of the 2027 season, the Wolfpack will have their most captive audience in years.
As the greatest quarterback in program history, a Rivers hire could also activate a fanbase that has had no reason to invest in the typical NC State you-know-what under Doeren, which would allow the first-time college coach to build a competitive roster in Year 1.
Getting the band back together
To paraphrase “Field of Dream,” hire Rivers, and the rest will come. Well, possibly. The 18-year NFL veteran has several former NC State teammates with either coaching or front-office experience, possibly making it easier to fill out an initial staff.
Dantonio Burnette, a Rivers teammate from 2000-02, is already on board as an assistant athletics director leading the football program’s strength and conditioning department. Rod Johnson, who led the team in interceptions in 2002, is director of player engagement/alumni relations at Oklahoma State.
As far a potential Rivers staff, former NFL wideout Jerricho Cotchery, his NC State teammate and two-time ACC receiving yards leader (2002, 2003), is in his second season with the North Greenville Trail Blazers, who changed their name in 2024, as assistant head coach and passing game coordinator.
Clayton White, a linebacker and senior when Rivers was a freshman, is the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay is another former NC State linebacker and served as nickels coach for the program from 2020-24. He was recently promoted to Sam Houston State co-interim head coach following former coach Phil Longo’s firing earlier this week.
Philip Rivers vs. Bill Belichick
In a few weeks, this point may already be obsolete, but as long as Belichick’s relationship with the North Carolina Tar Heels doesn’t follow the same track as his with Jordon Hudson, it’s in play.
A Rivers-Belichick coaching battle would breathe fresh life into the North Carolina-NC State rivalry and give Rivers a chance at revenge.
The two met nine times (including playoffs) in the NFL, when Rivers was quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers and Belichick served as New England Patriots coach. Belichick’s Patriots handily won the head-to-head, 8-1, with Rivers’ only victory coming in 2008 after Tom Brady’s season-ending ACL tear.
Incredible postgame content
Rivers was a goldmine in interviews during his NFL career. The concept of having, at minimum, 12 of those per season is almost too good to be true. Just ask The Ringer’s Nora Princiotti.
