He doesn't yet have the head coaching job, but Philip Rivers is apparently already assembling a North Carolina State coaching staff.
USA Today reported Wednesday that Rivers "has already begun sounding out potential members for his NC State staff," with his name out there as one of the top candidates for the position.
Last week, On3 reported that the former NFL quarterback, who played four years at NC State, emerged as the focus of the Wolfpack's coaching search after the firing of longtime head coach Dave Doeren .
Philip Rivers of the Indianapolis Colts walks to the locker room during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, Jan. 4, 2026. Getty Images
Rivers downplayed the speculation after reports emerged but didn't shut down the rumors completely.
"Never say never, but nothing imminent," Rivers said on Friday. "NC State's special to me. There's nothing there at this point. You understand the chatter is out there. Got to take it one day at a time is all I know."
Rivers' son, Gunner, a four-star quarterback prospect, has committed to NC State .
While it appeared the job was Rivers' to lose for a few days, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that another former Wolfpack quarterback was in the mix: Russell Wilson.
Wilson interviewed with NC State officials Tuesday , per Schefter, adding another big-name candidate to the search.
The Super Bowl champion played three seasons with the Wolfpack before transferring to Wisconsin for his senior year.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers walks the sideline against the San Francisco 49ers in Indianapolis, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
He joined "NFL Today" on CBS as an analyst earlier this year after spending last season with the Giants.
Rivers is supposedly still the front-runner, with On3 reporting that he's meeting with Wolfpack officials on Wednesday and "remains the focus" of the school's coaching search, with a deal "expected to come together soon" despite the Wilson flirtation.
