Report: Philip Rivers has "emerged as the focus" of NC State coaching search

Published October 30, 2026 11:03 PM Six days ago, former NFL (and NC State) quarterback Philip Rivers was identified as a person “expected to be in the mix” for the now-vacant Wolfpack head-coaching job.He has now “emerged as the focus” of the search, according to On3.com.There’s reportedly no timetable for the hire, given that Rivers continues to coach high-school football in Alabama.Rivers’s son, Gunner, has committed to attend NC State as a member of the class of 2027.NC State fired Dave Doeren last Saturday. Rivers played for the Wolfpack from 2000 to 2003. He was the fourth pick in the 2004 NFL draft, technically selected by the Giants before being sent to the Chargers as part of the Eli Manning trade. Rivers starred for the Chargers from 2004 through 2019. Rivers spent 2020 with the Colts before retiring. He returned last year to start three games for the Colts, after Indianapolis lost starter Daniel Jones to a torn Achilles tendon.Rivers has been coaching high-school football since 2021. He interviewed for the Bills’ head-coaching vacancy earlier this year.