Sources: NC State moving forward with Philip Rivers as new head coach

NC State is moving forward with former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers as its next head football coach, according to multiple outlets reporting on November 8, 2026. NBC Sports reported that Rivers and NC State are finalizing a deal, while ABC11 News said no deal has been signed and there is no clear timeline for an announcement. The university's Board of Trustees has meetings scheduled for Thursday and Friday, and ABC11 reported that if a deal is reached before then, it could be discussed during a regularly scheduled session.

Rivers played for NC State from 2000 to 2003, leading the Wolfpack to a program-best 11-3 record in 2002 before being selected fourth overall in the 2004 NFL draft. He played 18 seasons in the NFL, made eight Pro Bowls, threw for nearly 64,000 yards and 425 touchdowns, and won ACC Athlete of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year. For the past six years he has been head coach at St. Michael Catholic High in Fairhope, Alabama, whose season ended in the playoffs last week.

Rivers' son Gunner, a quarterback who played for him at St. Michael's, is NC State's top commit for next season. NC State fired Dave Doeren on October 24 in the middle of his 14th season; Doeren's 98 wins are the most all-time for the Wolfpack. The school has yet to hire a new general manager after parting ways with Andy Vaughn in late October.

NC State senior Harrison Williams said, "We're excited. You can feel the buzz around campus. I think it brought a new energy that we really needed, especially after Saturday. I think it'll be a good thing, so I'm looking forward to it." Braden Winters, assistant sports editor of The Technician, said, "I can't remember the last hire that we've had that is as big as this." Winters also noted Rivers' lack of college coaching experience but said his playing background and ties to the school could help overcome concerns.

The hiring would continue NC State's approach of bringing former players back to lead marquee programs; earlier this year the school hired former Wolfpack point guard Justin Gainey to lead its men's basketball program. Braly Keller of Opendorse said a prominent name like Rivers can help with fundraising and donor relationships in the NIL era.

If hired, Rivers would face North Carolina coach Bill Belichick, who went 8-1 against Rivers in the NFL, including 3-0 in the playoffs. Belichick is in his second season at UNC and is 0-1 against NC State, which has won its last five games against the Tar Heels. Belichick described Rivers as "fantastic," an "excellent competitor" and "tough," adding, "One of the toughest guys we ever played against." Duke coach Manny Diaz, an assistant at NC State during Rivers' playing days, said Philip was and is a great competitor.