Philip Rivers emerges as top candidate in NC State head‑coach search

Rivers, now a high‑school coach, is linked to the Wolfpack vacancy after Doeren’s dismissal, with his son already committed to the program.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 31 Oct 2026 07:58:07 GMT

Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has become the focus of NC State’s head‑football‑coach search, according to reports from Bleacher Report and the New York Post.

What happened

NC State fired head coach Dave Doeren on Oct. 24, 2026, after a 31‑28 loss to Stanford left the Wolfpack 3‑4 overall and 1‑3 in ACC play. Todd Goebbel was named interim coach on Oct. 26. By Oct. 31, outlets reported that Rivers, who is finishing the 2026 season as head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, is being considered for the permanent position.

What the reports add

Bleacher Report cited On3 analysts Chris Low, Brett McMurphy and Pete Nakos as saying Rivers “emerged as the focus” of the search and noted that there is no set timetable for his hiring. The New York Post echoed the On3 report, adding that Rivers’ four‑year playing career at NC State and his son Gunner’s recent commitment to the Wolfpack for the 2027 recruiting class strengthen his candidacy.

What was said

Bleacher Report quoted the On3 analysts, stating that Rivers’ NFL experience and familiarity with the university make him a “top choice” for the job. The New York Post referenced the same On3 report and highlighted Doeren’s own comment that “resources need to match expectations” for the program’s success.

How it came about

The coaching change follows a series of events documented by Felo News: Doeren’s dismissal was reported on Oct. 24 (NC State dismisses football coach Dave Doeren after 14 seasons), and Goebbel’s appointment as interim coach was covered on Oct. 26 (Todd Goebbel named interim coach as NC State looks ahead after Doeren’s firing). Rivers, who led St. Michael Catholic to a 6‑3 record this season and previously guided the school to consecutive Class 4A semifinals, is now being linked to the Wolfpack vacancy.

Key facts

NC State fired head coach Dave Doeren on Oct. 24, 2026 after a 31‑28 loss to Stanford. (nypost.com)
Todd Goebbel was named interim head coach on Oct. 26, 2026. (nypost.com)
Philip Rivers, currently head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School, is being considered for the permanent NC State head‑coach job. (bleacherreport.com)
Rivers led St. Michael Catholic to a 6‑3 record this season. (bleacherreport.com)
Rivers’ son Gunner, a 4‑star quarterback prospect, committed to NC State for the 2027 class. (bleacherreport.com)