NC State football set to hire Philip Rivers as coach to replace Dave Doeren
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Philip Rivers will be the next N.C. State football coach, USA TODAY Sports' John Brice has confirmed.
The university hasn't formally made an announcement, but multiple outlets have confirmed the Wolfpack is finalizing a deal with Rivers.
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A Wolfpack legend at quarterback from 2000-03, Rivers is returning to his alma mater for his first coaching opportunity at the college level. One of 14 members of N.C. State’s Ring of Honor, Rivers started all 51 games with the Wolfpack and his No. 17 jersey was retired before his final home in 2003.
Now, the Athens, Ala., native will start a new era as the head coach in Raleigh and replacement for Dave Doeren, who was fired in his 14th season on Oct. 24. Gunner Rivers, a four-star quarterback, will join his father at N.C. State.
Despite limited coaching experience, Rivers spent 18 seasons as an NFL quarterback with the San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts. In January, following his final game in his second stint with the Colts, Rivers discussed the idea of coaching opportunities and eventually landed an interview with the Buffalo Bills.
"I do think, as humbly as I can say it, that I could coach at this level," Rivers said. "I know enough about the game and about the guys, and from a leadership standpoint, camaraderie, all that comes with it. But again, that's not something that I'm sitting here pursuing."
Rivers takes over an N.C. State program that has rabid fans, but those surrounding the program had grown frustrated with an inability to breakthrough as a consistent top-25 program. The Pack has an 18-18-1 record in bowl games and is a near .500 program since its first season of football in 1892.
USA TODAY Sports reported Nov. 4 that Rivers had begun assembling a coaching staff. One person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports that "they've been working on a deal the entire past week" and a deal is "not finalized but it's getting there."
Who is the new NC State coach?
Rivers, 44, played 18 years in the NFL and has been a high school coach for the last six seasons at St. Michael Catholic School in Alabama. He had a 50-22 record, including a 6-5 mark in his final season.
Why is NC State hiring Philip Rivers?
Nostalgia is undefeated. The Wolfpack fired Dave Doeren because apathy set in and the program was heading in the wrong direction with a few-too-many embarrassing losses. Rivers will re-energize a loyal fanbase and, more importantly, drive interest in contributing to the program financially. N.C. State feels Rivers is the guy capable of taking the program to a level it hasn’t seen since his playing days. With an impending 24-team College Football Playoff, there’s more opportunity for a breakthrough. Despite his limited coaching experience, the memories connected to Rivers are strong in Raleigh and should spark a program in need of a jolt. A lengthy NFL career and his connections throughout the football world should allow him to recruit at a high level and bring in veteran coaches capable of helping him navigate the college landscape.
Doeren had a 98-48 record in nearly 14 seasons at N.C. State, logging the most wins in program history. He led the Wolfpack to bowl appearances in 11 of 13 seasons, but N.C. State lost five straight bowl games before ending that streak in 2025. And the Wolfpack never got the opportunity to play in a top-tier bowl, finishing as a top-25 team in just three seasons.
Doeren also had an 8-29 record against ranked opponents and never appeared in an ACC championship. Tobacco Road rivals Duke, North Carolina and Wake Forest each made title game appearances, with the Blue Devils raising the trophy in 2025. Rivers was successful as a player in Raleigh and the Pack is betting he'll do the same as a coach leading the program.
Philip Rivers contract details
Contract information for Rivers won't be released by N.C. State until the hire becomes official. The university owes Doeren a $9.75 million buyout for the three years remaining on his contract. There was a previously scheduled Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for Nov. 12-13, but an emergency meeting could be called earlier to approve the hire. This will be updated.
Philip Rivers coaching record
Rivers has coached high school football for the last six seasons in Alabama. This is his first college coaching opportunity. He had a 50-22 record as a high school coach.
- 2021: 8-4
- 2022: 5-5
- 2023: 6-5
- 2024: 12-2
- 2025: 13-1
- 2026: 6-5
Rodd Baxley covers Tobacco Road for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions? Send them to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football set to hire Philip Rivers as coach to replace Dave Doeren