The NC State Wolfpack want a head coach, they usually’re reportedly concentrating on an all-time program nice for the function.
On Saturday, ESPN college football reporters Mark Schlabach and Pete Thamel shared that eight-time Professional Bowl former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers “has engaged in severe discussions about returning to teach his alma mater,” though a hiring stays removed from imminent following former coach Dave Doeren’s firing on Oct. 24.
NC State’s beginning quarterback from 2000-03, Rivers has spent the previous 5 seasons teaching at St. Michael Catholic Excessive College in Fairhope, Alabama, briefly popping out of NFL retirement to begin three video games for the Indianapolis Colts final December.
He mentioned the rumors following a loss on Friday, per ESPN, telling Al.com, “I imply, shoot, NC State’s particular to me,” whereas additionally noting that “There’s nothing there at this level.
“I suppose it is like I informed you final yr,” Rivers continued. “You by no means say by no means.”
Philip Rivers? NC State head coach? It sounds too good to be true. Listed here are 5 explanation why we’d like it to occur.
Immediately raises NC State’s profile
When’s the final time anybody outdoors of Raleigh considered NC State soccer — and never due to one thing embarrassing it did? Precisely. You get the purpose.
Rivers might very effectively be in over his head as head coach of an influence convention program, however at the very least till that opening kickoff of the 2027 season, the Wolfpack may have their most captive viewers in years.
As the best quarterback in program historical past, a Rivers rent may additionally activate a fanbase that has had no purpose to put money into the everyday NC State you-know-what below Doeren, which might permit the first-time faculty coach to construct a aggressive roster in Yr 1.
Getting the band again collectively
To paraphrase “Discipline of Dream,” rent Rivers, and the remaining will come. Nicely, presumably. The 18-year NFL veteran has a number of former NC State teammates with both teaching or front-office expertise, presumably making it simpler to fill out an preliminary employees.
Dantonio Burnette, a Rivers teammate from 2000-02, is already on board as an assistant athletics director main the soccer program’s power and conditioning division. Rod Johnson, who led the group in interceptions in 2002, is director of participant engagement/alumni relations at Oklahoma State.
As far a possible Rivers employees, former NFL wideout Jerricho Cotchery, his NC State teammate and two-time ACC receiving yards chief (2002, 2003), is in his second season with the North Greenville Trail Blazers, who modified their identify in 2024, as assistant head coach and passing sport coordinator.
Clayton White, a linebacker and senior when Rivers was a freshman, is the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay is one other former NC State linebacker and served as nickels coach for this system from 2020-24. He was recently promoted to Sam Houston State co-interim head coach following former coach Phil Longo’s firing earlier this week.
Philip Rivers vs. Invoice Belichick
In a couple of weeks, this level might already be out of date, however so long as Belichick’s relationship with the North Carolina Tar Heels would not observe the identical observe as his with Jordon Hudson, it is in play.
A Rivers-Belichick teaching battle would breathe contemporary life into the North Carolina-NC State rivalry and provides Rivers an opportunity at revenge.
The 2 met 9 instances (together with playoffs) within the NFL, when Rivers was quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers and Belichick served as New England Patriots coach. Belichick’s Patriots handily won the head-to-head, 8-1, with Rivers’ solely victory coming in 2008 after Tom Brady’s season-ending ACL tear.
Unbelievable postgame content material
Rivers was a goldmine in interviews throughout his NFL profession. The idea of getting, at minimal, 12 of these per season is sort of too good to be true. Simply ask The Ringer’s Nora Princiotti.
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