NC State takes massive gamble, hires Philip Rivers as football coach
USA Today • • sports
Key Points:
- North Carolina State is set to hire former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers as its next head football coach, with the board of trustees expected to finalize his contract by Nov. 13.
- Rivers, NC State's all-time leading passer, has no college coaching experience but has been head coach at a high school in Alabama since 2021, marking a bold move for the program seeking greater success.
- Rivers replaces Dave Doeren, who led the Wolfpack for 14 seasons without surpassing nine wins in a season, signaling a shift from stability to pursuing higher upside.
- Rivers' leadership qualities are highly praised, and his son, Gunner Rivers, a four-star quarterback recruit, is committed to NC State, which could strengthen the program's future.
- Rivers is assembling a coaching staff that may include former NC State players like Jerricho Cotchery and Jatavis Sanders, while current tight ends coach Gavin Locklear is also a potential staff member.
