NC State working to finalize deal to hire Wolfpack legend and former NFL quarterback Philippe Rivièressources tell On3’s Chris Low and Pete Nakos and The Wolfpacker’s Noah Fleischman. Rivers has been the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, for the past six seasons.
He trained his son, Gunnerwho committed to play quarterback for NC State. St. Michael Catholic’s season ended with a playoff loss Friday night.
A North Carolina State Board of Regents meeting scheduled for later this week where the board could approve Rivers’ contract. Rivers began contacting potential front office and coaching staff candidates.
His name was mentioned extensively behind the scenes in recent weeks as rumors began to swirl that NC State would leave NC State. Dave Doeren. Rivers has support from NC State boosters, which would be key to getting zero dollars.
Doeren was fired following an embarrassing loss at Stanford. Doeren was the fourth longest-tenured coach in the FBS, taking over the Wolfpack in 2013 and becoming the school’s winningest coach, posting a 95-70 record.
Despite Doeren’s success at NC State, the program never reached the ACC championship game or won more than nine games in a season.
Rivers, 44, interviewed for the Buffalo Bills job this past offseason. As quarterback at NC State, he set numerous records, started 51 consecutive games and completed an ACC record 1,147 passes on 1,710 attempts, with 95 touchdowns. His number 17 was retired before his final college game with the Wolfpack.
One of NC State’s top promoters recently told On3 that “Rivers is NC State,” giving his approval to the potential hire. Questions will arise about whether Rivers is ready to step in and lead a college program after six seasons coaching high school football.
But sources said he was very confident in his ability to raise unprecedented funds for the football program.
Athletic director Boo Corrigan tapped former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and NC State linebacker Bill Cowher to help with the Wolfpack’s coaching search. Dewayne Washington also participated in the research.
Gn headline
