NC State nears deal for Philip Rivers to succeed Dave Doeren, 247Sports reports

Two weeks after firing Dave Doeren, NC State is finalizing an agreement to hire Philip Rivers, its career passing leader, as head coach, On3 and 247Sports reported.

Rivers led the Wolfpack to the Gator Bowl title and an 11-3 record in 2002, the only season the program has won 10 games. Doeren finished 98-73, with more wins than any NC State coach, but his teams never reached 10 wins in a season, finishing with nine five times.

Rivers, 44, has coached St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, since 2021, though he has no college or NFL coaching experience. On Friday morning, he mowed and chalked the St. Michael field with his youngest son and a grandson. The school had no stadium when he began.

That evening, St. Michael's season ended with a 42-35 playoff loss at home to The Glenwood School.

"It’s been a heck of a six years," Rivers said after the game. "I know that and just trying to be where my feet are right now."

"If it were to be the last time out here, shoot, a lot was accomplished," he said. "Certainly, if that were to be the case, it would be left better than it was six years ago."

Two days later, PackPower247 reporter Cory Smith wrote on X that Rivers is finalizing an agreement to return as NC State's 37th head coach.

BREAKING: Philip Rivers is coming home.

The NC State legend is finalizing a deal to return to the Wolfpack as the program's 37th head coach, as we reported to @PackPower247 subscribers on Saturday.

✍️:

— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) November 8, 2026

The hire would make NC State the first school this cycle to fill a head coaching vacancy, The Sporting News reported, citing On3. The terms of the deal were not yet known.

Rivers discussed the job Wednesday in Alabama with NC State officials, among them athletics director Boo Corrigan. The school also interviewed Russell Wilson, a former Wolfpack and NFL quarterback, NBC Sports reported.

Son committed to NC State

The job could give Rivers a chance to coach his oldest son at the college level. Gunner Rivers, a four-star quarterback committed to NC State, ranks No. 4 at his position in the 2027 class and is expected to wear his father's retired No. 17 starting next season.

Gunner hurt his right leg in the season opener, but he returned in the playoffs and passed for two touchdowns.

Rivers said Friday that the prospect of coaching his son in college would matter in his decision, though it would not be the deciding factor. "I wouldn't call that the deciding factor," he said. "But it would be special."

Family considerations would factor into a move, Rivers said. "It’s a lot when you talk about all those things — and all those things are real," said Rivers, who has 10 children as well as grandchildren. His brother Scott works on the St. Michael staff.

Doeren questioned spending

In his farewell address in October, Doeren questioned NC State's spending on football, saying "resources need to match the expectations."

Corrigan and Chancellor Kevin Howell wrote to the Wolfpack Club and university trustees on Oct. 28 that the time had come for "a new chapter, with fresh leadership and renewed energy." They said the school is "fully committed to providing the financial investment, infrastructure, and NIL support required to compete and win."

NC State's football roster cost an estimated $22 million to $26 million this season, WRAL reported, citing estimates compiled by The Athletic that put the figure in line with the Atlantic Coast Conference average.

The NC State Board of Trustees must approve the contract for the next head coach and has meetings scheduled for Nov. 12 and 13.