NC State to Hire Philip Rivers as Head Coach, With Deal Expected to Be Finalized Friday

NC State is hiring former quarterback Philip Rivers as its next head football coach, USA TODAY Sports confirmed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The NC State board of trustees is expected to finalize a contract this week, reportedly on Friday, November 13. NC State has not announced the hire, and no contract terms have been reported, so the final step is still the board vote, not a school announcement.

What the reports say

ESPN sources told Mark Schlabach and Pete Thamel on Wednesday that the board of trustees is expected to finalize a contract on Friday that would make Rivers the new head coach. Those sources also said they had not been told the deal was done. On3 reported that Rivers has accepted the job and that an official announcement is expected in the near future. Bleacher Report, citing On3 and ESPN, reported on Wednesday that Rivers agreed to become head coach, with finalization expected on Friday.

The first reports came earlier. Field Level Media and other outlets reported on Sunday, November 8 that NC State was working to finalize a deal with Rivers and that he had begun reaching out to potential staff. USA TODAY Sports reported on November 4 that Rivers had begun assembling a staff, and that ESPN had previously reported Russell Wilson interviewed for the vacancy after Rivers had already started building that staff. Former NFL player Jerricho Cotchery, who starred alongside Rivers at NC State, is expected to be a candidate to join the staff, USA TODAY learned. Those staff names are reported candidates, not hires.

A return to Raleigh

Rivers, 44, played at NC State from 2000 to 2003. He made 51 consecutive starts, won ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, threw for 13,484 yards and 95 touchdowns, and led the Wolfpack to four straight bowl games. The school retired his No. 17. He was drafted No. 4 overall by the then San Diego Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft.

He played 17 NFL seasons, all but one with the Chargers. He retired after the 2020 season, then briefly returned in 2025 to make three starts for the Indianapolis Colts. Brian Bratton, a former Indianapolis Colts assistant coach, told USA TODAY Sports: "Philip is one of the best leaders I have been around. Of course, it is documented and has been evident throughout his career. The way he prepares, the way he leads, the way he motivates, it all gives you hope."

No college coaching record

Rivers has never coached at the college level. He is in his sixth season as head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where he built the program and led it to state semifinal appearances in 2024 and 2025. He told NC State he wanted to finish his high school season, which ended on Friday, November 6.

He would replace Dave Doeren, who was fired on October 24 after a 3-4 start in his 14th season at NC State. Todd Goebbel is the interim coach in the earlier reports. The hire also has a family tie: Rivers's son Gunner Rivers is a four star quarterback prospect committed to NC State, and Rivers coaches him at St. Michael Catholic. Gunner committed on February 23.