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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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North Carolina State may have found its ideal candidate to become the new head coach of the Wolfpack football team, with an NFL legend reportedly "in serious discussion" with the program for the position.
Last week, the university announced it had fired Dave Doeren, who had been NC State's head coach since 2013. During his tenure, Doeren had a 98-73 overall record and a 52-57 record in the ACC. However, this season the team got off to a disappointing 1-3 start in the conference.
On Saturday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that NC State is "in serious discussion" with NFL legend Philip Rivers. The former San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts quarterback played college football for NC State from 2000 to 2003.
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During his final season, he led the NCAA in completion percentage and passer rating before heading to the NFL to play professionally.
More news: NC State Legend Philip Rivers Addresses Head Coaching Rumors
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He was the No. 4 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, with the Chargers making him their franchise quarterback. He spent the bulk of his career with the team before briefly playing for the Colts in 2020. He later came out of retirement to help the struggling Colts in 2025 before stepping away again.
Although his NFL resume doesn't include a Super Bowl appearance or victory, Rivers' accomplishments still make a strong case for his place among the game's all-time great quarterbacks.
Rivers led teams to eight postseason appearances. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and ranks in the NFL's top 10 all-time for completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes.
He's been coaching the St. Michael's Catholic High School football team in Alabama since 2021. In January, he interviewed with the Buffalo Bills for their head coaching vacancy after the NFL team fired Sean McDermott. The Bills ultimately promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach.
According to ESPN's report, Rivers hasn't met with NC State officials in person, "but there has been outreach about putting together a front office" if he agrees to take the head coaching job.
ESPN reported that a deal isn't close, and sources indicated that Rivers told the school he wants to finish out this high school football season with St. Michael's Catholic.
As of this report, Todd Goebbel is NC State's interim head coach after working under Doeren since 2019, coaching special teams and other positions. However, having a former player with Rivers' football credentials become the next head coach at NC State makes a lot of sense.
Among his achievements, Rivers led NC State to four bowl games while playing for the school and won three of them, so he could be an ideal candidate to get this ACC program going in the right direction.
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