Former NC State quarterback and NFL legend Philip Rivers has emerged as the focus of the school's search for a new head coach, according to On3's Pete Naikos.
His son, Gunner, is a four-star quarterback recruit committed to play at NC State in 2027. Philip has been coaching him at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama.
Philip Rivers and wife Tiffany escort Gunner Rivers as the St. Michael seniors are introduced prior to tonight’s regular-season finale. @InsidePackSport https://t.co/Nyeilgiyym
— Ben Thomas (@BenThomasPreps) October 30, 2026
The elder Rivers played at NC State from 2000-2003 before heading to the NFL and becoming the No. 4 pick in the 2004 draft. Rivers went on to have a storied career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. He ended his NFL retirement late last year after more than four years away, coming back to play for the Indianapolis Colts in a playoff race.
NC State fired longtime head coach Dave Doeren on Saturday, seven games into the season. Special teams coordinator and running backs coach Todd Goebbel took over as the interim head coach.
The Wolfpack are 3-4 heading into a matchup with Cal. Doeren had only three losing campaigns in 13 full seasons, but he also never recorded a season with more than nine wins.
