Philip Rivers named NC State football coach
WRAL • • sports
Key Points:
- NC State has officially hired former quarterback Philip Rivers as its new head football coach, signing him to a five-year, $3.25 million annual contract after the Board of Trustees' approval.
- Rivers, a celebrated former player who started 51 consecutive games for NC State and had an 18-year NFL career, replaces Dave Doeren, the school's all-time winningest coach who was fired mid-season.
- The university leadership emphasized Rivers' deep connection to NC State and his alignment with the program's culture, expressing confidence that he will elevate the team to compete for ACC championships and College Football Playoff appearances.
- Rivers brings coaching experience from leading a high school program in Alabama and has the added motivation of coaching his son Gunner, a four-star quarterback set to join NC State next season.
- NC State aims to increase investment in its football program under Rivers' leadership to meet competitive goals, especially as the College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams in 2027, with Rivers' first game as head coach scheduled against North Carolina A&T.
