NC State is searching for a new head football coach, and the Wolfpack might be turning to one of the most famous players in program history, even if he's never coached a game at the college level.
Former NC State and NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has reportedly held serious discussions about returning to coach his alma mater. Rivers, who currently coaches high school football in Alabama, has emerged as the early favorite for the job, though a deal reportedly isn't close yet.
NC State fired head coach Dave Doeren on Oct. 24 after a 3-4 start to his 14th season with the program. Doeren leaves as the winningest coach in school history.
Rivers has engaged in serious discussions about the NC State job, according to ESPN's Mark Schlabach and Pete Thamel , though sources said that a deal isn't close.
The 44-year-old has reportedly told NC State that he wants to finish the current high school season. He hasn't met with school officials in person, but there has been outreach about putting together a front office if he takes the job.
Speaking after St. Michael's 53-32 loss to Foley High School on Friday night, Rivers made it clear that the school means a lot to him.
"I mean, shoot, NC State's special to me," Rivers told AL.com, via ESPN . "And you know, Coach Doeren, shoot, what he did over 14 years, and all-time winningest coach, [there's] a ton of respect and appreciation, you know, for how he went about it with the university. There's nothing there at this point."
But he didn't rule it out, either.
"Like I told you earlier in the week, you understand the chatter is out there. Gotta take it one day at a time, you know, is all I know," Rivers added. "I'm excited [for] this postseason with these guys here, and I guess it's like I told you last year, you never say never, but there's nothing imminent."
Rivers broke nearly every NC State and ACC record during his college career from 2000 to 2003, throwing for 13,484 yards and 95 touchdowns. He led the Wolfpack to four straight bowl games, winning three of them.
He went on to play 17 seasons in the NFL, all but one with the Chargers, before retiring after the 2020 season. Last year, he even came out of retirement to start three games for the Indianapolis Colts after injuries to Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard.
There's also a family connection. Rivers' son, Gunner, committed to NC State in February, though he suffered a knee injury that ended his senior season.
Rivers at least has some experience on the sideline. He is in his sixth season as head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, and he led the Cardinals to the state semifinals in each of the last two seasons.
He has also been linked to bigger jobs before. In January, Rivers interviewed for the Buffalo Bills' head coaching job before removing himself from the search.
The Wolfpack aren't the only program that could turn to a former star quarterback with no college coaching experience. After Baylor fired Dave Aranda, Robert Griffin III, the school's only Heisman Trophy winner, said that he would "100 percent" be interested in the job, despite never coaching a game at any level.
Needless to say, it would be quite the homecoming if Rivers ends up back in Raleigh.
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