Philip Rivers went from coaching high school football to sitting in front of Buffalo Bills ownership with Josh Allen in the room and a chance to become an NFL head coach.
It happened quickly, too.
Rivers recently opened up about interviewing for the Bills’ head-coaching position during an interview with ESPN before Buffalo ultimately hired Joe Brady. While Rivers didn’t get the job, his description of the process offered an interesting look behind the curtain at one of the NFL’s most intriguing coaching searches.
Rivers had almost no time to prepare
Rivers said he received a call on a Wednesday informing him that Buffalo wanted him in Florida for an interview that Friday.
The opportunity wasn’t something he had been expecting.
Rivers spent Thursday preparing but decided against trying to walk into the room pretending to be a longtime NFL coaching candidate. His approach was considerably simpler.
“Be yourself,” Rivers recalled telling himself.
That philosophy became apparent almost immediately.
Rivers arrived with a golf shirt, khakis, boots and a notebook. When Bills officials asked whether he had any audio or video material that needed to be connected to the television for his presentation, Rivers put his notebook down.
“It’s all right here, guys,” Rivers said.
No elaborate presentation. No giant coaching binder. Just Rivers and his notes.
The interview ended up lasting approximately four hours.
