A Homecoming At NC State: Philip Rivers Becomes Wolfpack’s Head Coach

Philip Rivers is going back to school, and he’s returning to a place where he became a college legend. NC State has reached an agreement with former Wolfpack and NFL quarterback Philip Rivers to become its new head coach, with the school releasing a statement on Friday morning. “Philip Rivers is one of one and the right person to lead NC State Football into its next era,” NC State McMurray Family Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan said in a statement. “His accomplishments as a player at the collegiate and professional levels speak for themselves. But throughout this search process, what stood out to me most was his exceptional leadership ability, his character, the way he connects with people and his vision for this program. He is someone who is deeply respected and beloved by Wolfpack Nation, and I couldn’t be more proud that he will be the one leading our football program.” And Rivers, who signed a five-year deal, according to ESPN, can’t wait to get started. “I am humbled and honored to be the next head football coach at NC State University, Rivers said in a statement. “In many ways, I feel like I’m coming home. This is where it all began for me as an 18-year-old kid from Alabama, and now to return to this great place as head coach is beyond words. I gave it everything I had here as a player for 51 games and I will give it everything I have as the coach. “There’s no denying that this is going to take hard work, but we’re not scared of hard. I look forward to getting after it every single day with an unbelievable coaching staff and a group of players who are dedicated to relentlessly pursuing victory.” Rivers, who played 17 seasons in the NFL, is an NC State legend. The program retired his jersey number (17) in 2013, 10 years after he completed his four-year tenure as the Wolfpack’s starting quarterback. He threw for 13,484 yards with 95 touchdowns and 34 interceptions, finishing seventh in Heisman Trophy voting as a senior. While Rivers has never coached at the college level, he has coaching experience. He’s coached at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama since his first NFL retirement in 2021. He resumed coaching at St. Michael Catholic University after his unretirement last year to briefly join the Indianapolis Colts. Rivers replaces longtime NC State head coach Dave Doeren, who was fired in late October in the midst of his 14th season. At the time of his firing, Doeren was the fourth-longest-tenured coach in the FBS and leaves as the winningest coach in program history with a 95-70 record. Rivers wasn’t the only former NFL quarterback who was a candidate for the job. Russell Willson, who also played at NC State, interviewed for the job earlier in November. NC State’s decision to bring back Rivers also comes as his son, Gunner Rivers, is set to join the program. Gunner Rivers, a four-star quarterback, is part of the Wolfpack’s 2027 recruiting class, committing to join the program last year. Read More

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