College Football: N.C. State nears hiring of Philip Rivers as head coach
The former NFL quarterback is expected to sign a contract within 24 hours, following a meeting in Alabama where donors pledged financial resources to support his staff and player acquisitions.
By Layla Richardson ·
Philip Rivers is set to become the head football coach at N.C. State University. The former NFL quarterback is expected to finalize his contract within the next 24 hours, sources told OutKick. This hire represents a major shift in the program’s leadership following the dismissal of Dave Doeren nearly two weeks ago. For fans and players in Raleigh, the announcement confirms a new direction for the Wolfpack under a high-profile figure from professional football.
N.C. State officials traveled to Fairhope, Alabama, earlier this week to meet formally with Rivers. The two sides are currently hammering out final details of the agreement. The university’s board of trustees is scheduled to meet this coming week to vote on and approve the contract. Once approved, Rivers will officially hold the head coaching title at his alma mater.
Rivers was not in Raleigh for the formal meeting because he was finishing his season as the head coach of St. Michael Catholic in Alabama. His team lost in the opening round of the high school football playoffs on Friday night. Rivers was able to coach that game because N.C. State gave him the space to complete his duties in Alabama before moving to Raleigh. His son, Gunner, also played in that game and is committed to play for N.C. State next fall.
The hiring process accelerated after a series of informal discussions between the university and major donors. These conversations focused on what resources would be necessary to make the Wolfpack competitive in the current era of college athletics. Several boosters agreed to a plan that would provide Rivers with specific financial resources. This funding is intended to help him assemble a coaching and front office staff quickly once he signs.
A key component of the negotiations involved the budget for Rivers’ staff. Sources indicated that Rivers requested a large enough pool of money to attract assistant coaches with college experience. He wanted to ensure he could hire veteran professionals who would be willing to move to Raleigh. This approach addresses the fact that this will be Rivers’ first head coaching position in college football.
Financial resources related to Name, Image, and Likeness, or NIL, also played a key role in the talks. N.C. State athletic director Boo Corrigan prioritized securing these resources outside of standard revenue-sharing agreements. The goal was to make the position attractive to a former NFL player who might otherwise stay in professional leagues or high school coaching. The donors have pledged to use these funds to help Rivers compete in the transfer portal.
The donors have a specific task ahead of them to ensure the hire succeeds. They must help Rivers add players to the roster through the transfer portal. The objective is to build a squad that can compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and aim for a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff. This financial support is designed to help the team hit the ground running for the 2027 season.
The next step in the process is the board of trustees meeting later this week. Once the contract is approved, Rivers will begin the formal process of hiring his staff and recruiting players. Gunner Rivers is scheduled to enroll in January to start his own collegiate career at N.C. State. The university is positioned to make an official announcement once the legal and administrative hurdles are cleared.
