RALEIGH — New NC State football coach Philip Rivers will be paid about half of what former coach Dave Doeren made under a five-year contract Rivers signed with the Wolfpack.
The contract was approved Friday by the North Carolina State Board of Regents.
Rivers, 44, will receive $18.25 million in annual salary and additional compensation over the life of the contract. He will earn $3.25 million in 2027, with a $200,000 annual raise built into the deal. Rivers can earn up to $2.2 million in annual bonuses for his academic and on-field accomplishments.
Rivers would owe NC State $5 million if he left the football program before the end of the 2027 season. That buyout drops to $4 million before the end of the 2028 season, $2.75 million before the end of the 2029 season and $1 million before the end of the 2030 season.
Rivers’ contract runs through the 2031 season.
The contract includes other benefits such as two courtesy vehicles, access to a private suite and 20 tickets to home football games, travel for spouse and dependents, up to $40,000 in moving expenses and a country club membership. Such perks are typical of head coaching contracts in college sports.
Doeren, who was fired Oct. 24 in the middle of his 14th season, was scheduled to make more than $6.625 million in 2027, with his total salary increasing by $250,000 annually through the end of the 2029 season. NC State owes Doeren about $10 million as part of a buyout.
Rivers has no collegiate coaching experience. After his stellar career at NC State, Rivers played 18 seasons and coached six seasons at St. Michael Catholic High in Fairhope, Alabama.
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