Former NC State QB Philip Rivers officially named Wolfpack’s next head football coach

RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) — The North Carolina State Board of Trustees has decided who will lead the Wolfpack football team in the coming years.

After weeks of speculation, the board officially announced that former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers is the new coach on Friday.

Rivers signed a five-year deal.

This comes after the university fired coach Dave Doeren, ending his 14-year tenure.

The shakeup also included the firing of the general manager and the defensive coordinator.

Rivers emerged as the favorite to replace Doeren in the early stages of the search.

Another former Wolfpack quarterback, Russell Wilson, was also in discussions about the position.

Rivers played quarterback at NC State from 2000 to 2003.

He just wrapped up his sixth season as head coach of St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama.

Rivers, who has never coached in college, led the Cardinals to the state playoff semifinals the previous two seasons.

The 44-year-old had told NC State that he wants to finish the current high school season and St. Michael’s season ended Friday night.

Rivers broke nearly every NC State and ACC record during his career, throwing for 13,484 yards with 95 touchdowns.

He led the Wolfpack to four straight bowl games under coach Chuck Amato, winning three of them. Amato died last month at 80 years old.

Rivers is the second member of his family to commit to the program this year. His son, Gunner, committed to play for NC State on Feb. 23.

He suffered a knee injury and was shut down for the rest of St. Michael’s season.

Gunner Rivers, who is ranked 168th in the SC Next 300, threw for 10,847 yards with 119 touchdowns in his high school career.