Philip Rivers Confirms He Met With NC State About Head Coaching Job

Philip Rivers has confirmed he met with NC State officials about the school’s vacant head coaching position, adding new detail to speculation that the former Wolfpack quarterback could return to Raleigh to lead the program.

Rivers, 44, spoke with reporters after his team, St. Michael’s Catholic High School, lost in the first round of Alabama’s Double-A playoffs. Rivers currently serves as the school’s head coach.

“We met and visited,” Rivers said. “I’ve known some of those guys for a while now. Obviously, it was good to visit with them, but there’s really nothing else to report at this point.”

Rivers said NC State leadership spoke with him on Wednesday about the opening. He is reportedly a central figure in the Wolfpack’s coaching search.

Rivers, an NC State alum and eight-time Pro Bowler during his NFL career, has a personal connection to the program beyond his own playing days there. His son, Gunner Rivers, is committed to NC State as part of its Class of 2027. Rivers acknowledged that the chance to coach his son in college plays into his thinking.

“[It’s] certainly” a factor, Rivers said, though he added, “I wouldn’t call that the deciding factor. But certainly would be special.”

Rivers also reflected on his high school team’s season coming to a close. “[I] really was looking forward to this playoff run, and it all comes to an end tonight,” he said. “But we’ll see. We’ll see what the future holds.”

Asked about the weight of a decision that would mean a major life change for his family, Rivers said, “It is a lot. Could be a lot.” His current coaching role in high school keeps him close to his large family.

Background on the search

NC State fired head coach Dave Doeren on Oct. 24 following a 31-28 loss at Stanford. The program fired defensive coordinator DJ Eliot the following day.

The university named Todd Goebbel interim head coach, while Charlton Warren took over as defensive coordinator on an interim basis.

NC State has also reportedly interviewed another former Wolfpack quarterback with NFL experience, Russell Wilson, for the head coaching vacancy.