Russell Wilson has emerged as a leading contender for a college football head coaching role despite never coaching football at any level.
Wilson is a Super Bowl-winning QB who was one of his generation's standout talents before a slow decline saw fans turn against him as he retired after the 2025 NFL season due to declining performances.
While the 37-year-old has become a major media figure since retirement, it seems he could be headed to the NCAA after interviewing for the vacant head coaching role at his alma mater, NC State.
Adam Schefter reported that Wilson, who played for NC State from 2008 to 2010, interviewed for the vacant head coaching role, joining another former NC State and NFL QB, Phillip Rivers, in the race.
"Sources: former Super Bowl champion QB Russell Wilson interviewed today for the head coaching job at North Carolina State, where he played three seasons. NC State now has two former NFL greats who starred there, Wilson and Philip Rivers, as prominent head-coaching candidates."
Fans are not pleased with this, thinking that the college program is not treating their HC search seriously.
"This has to be the worst job search of all time," slammed a fan .
"Man. Did not see that coming," said one stunned fan .
"It's very possible an NC State message board is making all major decisions regarding their coaching hire," said one fan, criticising the move .
"Wilson vs. Rivers for the NC State job: one brings a Super Bowl ring, the other brings a minivan full of future recruits," said another fan .
"So they're just trolling with that job, fairs," said another fan negatively .
NC State fired longtime head coach Dave Doeren after a 3-4 start to the season on October 24. He's arguably the greatest coach in program history after a 14-year tenure, with this decision also meaning a complete revamp of their football program.
Wilson was an accomplished three-year player with NC State but would transfer to Wisconsin for his final season after disagreements with the old coaching staff. Wilson has no formal coaching experience.
His biggest rival for the job currently, Phillip Rivers, is at least an accomplished high school coach and has his son in the team's QB pipeline. Rivers is also a former NC State QB and NFL star, and would make a challenging but natural jump to the NCAA after six years in high school.
Wilson is a media figure now, so it's understandable to see fans frustrated at NC State not looking at more traditional options to keep them competitive while giving them the structure they need to rebuild.
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