After weeks of rumors and anticipation, the wait is over.
According to reports from On3's Pete Nakos and Chris Low and the Wolfpacker's Noah Fleischman, North Carolina State is finalizing a deal to hire school alum and current St. Michael Catholic head coach Philip Rivers to lead its football program, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.
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According to reports from On3's Pete Nakos and Chris Low and the Wolfpacker's Noah Fleischman, North Carolina State is finalizing a deal to hire school alum and current St. Michael Catholic head coach Philip Rivers to lead its football program, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.
Reporting by 247Sports' PackPower247 confirmed the news, with Rivers set to become the program's 37th head coach.
The University has previously scheduled Board of Trustees meetings slated for Thursday at 9 a.m. CT and Friday at 8 a.m. CT, which are times when it could approve Rivers' contract.
Various reports indicated that Rivers had previously met with representatives from the school for an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Fairhope, with some adding that he had already begun building a potential staff at that time.
Additionally, The Athletic's Jonathan Jones reported that Rivers had begun assembling a potential staff over the last couple of weeks in the event he should land the job.
The Wolfpack's gig came open following the firing of 14-year head coach Dave Doeren on Saturday, Oct. 24, after his team fell to Stanford, 31-28, the previous night. The 2026 NC State squad is currently 4-5 on the season and 2-4 in ACC play.
Prior to his legendary NFL career, Rivers suited up for the Wolfpack from 2000-2003, throwing for over 13,000 yards and nearly 100 touchdowns while earning multiple All-ACC honors and eventually having his No. 17 jersey retired at the school.
Regarded as one of the greatest to ever wear an NC State uniform, Rivers helped lead the program to four straight bowl appearances and its last double-digit-win season (2002).
He of course then went on to spend 16 seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers before playing for the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 and briefly in 2025.
The Wolfpack alum has spent the past six years leading the Cardinals, having guided them to a 48-21 overall record and a pair of AHSAA playoff-semifinal appearances over that span. He also briefly interviewed for the Buffalo Bills' head-coach opening earlier this year before pulling out of the search.
Philip's son, Gunner, is also currently committed to play for NC State beginning next spring. Rated as a 4-star prospect by 247Sports, the veteran quarterback is on track to follow in his father's footsteps up in Raleigh, and he had already reaffirmed his commitment to the program since Doeren's firing according to PackPower247's R. Cory Smith:
"I want to thank Coach Doeren for everything he did for me," Gunner Rivers wrote in a text to Pack Power. "I knew every time I spoke with him he was gonna tell me the truth, whether good or bad. And that was something I always appreciated. He definitely left a good impression on me and my family...
"...As far as my commitment goes, I'm staying 100% locked in with the PACK! Excited to get to work here in a couple months."
Former St. Michael Catholic head coach Philip Rivers looks on as his son, Gunner, warms up prior to a game Saturday, Aug. 22, in Fairhope.
Micah Green / Gulf Coast Media
Following the news of Doeren's dismissal, Philip Rivers' name immediately began being associated with the job opening. However, the 44-year-old openly emphasized that he wanted to focus on the remainder of the high school football season, remaining neutral when asked about the matter.
St. Michael lost to Foley, 53-32, in its season finale and first game after the NC State position opened up.
The Cardinals went on to fall to Glenwood, 42-35, in the opening round of the AHSAA Private AA Playoffs, finishing with a 6-5 overall record and 5-2 mark in region play.
Looking ahead to what Philip and Gunner Rivers will face next season, the Wolfpack will have plenty of opportunities to secure a statement win for the first-year coach and his son.
NC State welcomes Kansas State to Carter-Finley Stadium in non-conference action, and it will also host Dabo Swinney's Clemson side, Top-10 powerhouse Miami and Bill Belichick-led North Carolina.
Trips to Virginia Tech, SMU and a suddenly surging Wake Forest highlight the Wolfpack's 2027 road slate, with the season-opener being a visit from the FCS' North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Aug. 28.
The NC State faithful are hoping Rivers can return his alma mater to the highs they enjoyed during his playing days. While the program routinely finished above .500 during Doeren's tenure, his teams struggled to produce breakthrough campaigns that saw them challenge for either an ACC Championship or College Football Playoff spot.
In the immediate future, Rivers' main priorities will be connecting with major boosters and donors to bolster NIL efforts, developing relationships with recruits/transfer prospects and evaluating what he wants to keep or change from the culture already instilled within the program.
NCSU Athletic Director Boo Corrigan was assisted by former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and NC State linebacker Bill Cowher in the coaching search.
Rivers becomes the first former Wolfpack player to lead the team since Chuck Amato manned the helm from 2000-2006.
