Report: Philip Rivers finalizing deal to become NC State head coach

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Former NFL quarterback and NC State standout Philip Rivers is finalizing a deal to become the next head coach of the Wolfpack football program, according to CBS Sports.

Rivers would replace Dave Doeren, who was fired following a Week 8 loss to Stanford. Doeren finished his 14-plus seasons in Raleigh with a 98-73 record, making him the winningest head coach in program history.

Despite that success, Doeren never led the Wolfpack to an ACC Championship Game appearance or a season with double-digit wins.

The position would mark Rivers’ first collegiate coaching job. He has served as the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama since 2021, compiling a 48-21 record.

The move would also mark a homecoming for Rivers, who starred at NC State from 2000 to 2003 and was named ACC Player of the Year in his final season.

During his college career, Rivers set numerous school and ACC records, including marks for career passing yards, total offense and passing touchdowns. He also set an NCAA record with 51 consecutive starts.

Rivers was selected fourth overall by the New York Giants in the 2004 NFL Draft before being traded to the San Diego Chargers in a deal involving Eli Manning, whom the Chargers selected with the first overall pick.

Over his NFL career, Rivers became one of the league’s most prolific passers, ranking sixth all-time in both passing yards and passing touchdowns. He holds the distinction of having the most career passing yards and touchdowns among quarterbacks who never appeared in a Super Bowl.