New Philip Rivers Rumors on NC State Meeting, Potential Coaching Staff amid Russell Wilson Buzz

While fellow alum Russell Wilson has emerged as a candidate for NC State's head coach opening, Philip Rivers appears to have a leg up on the competition.

Pete Nakos of On3.com reported that Rivers is set to meet with "the entire NC State brass" on Wednesday to discuss the head coaching position.

Rivers has also reportedly "begun sounding out potential members for his NC State staff," according to USA Today's John Brice, who added that the former NFL quarterback is the "primary focus" to become his alma mater's next head coach.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that Wilson interviewed for the head coaching job at NC State after the school fired Dave Doeren on Oct. 24. The 37-year-old played at NC State from 2008 to 2010 before transferring to Wisconsin in 2011. He played 14 seasons in the NFL before retiring this past June, and he now works as an analyst for CBS Sports.

Unlike Wilson, Rivers has already gotten his feet wet in the coaching arena. The 44-year-old is in his sixth season as coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, and has led the team to the state playoff semifinals in each of the last two years. He reportedly told his alma mater that he wants to finish the current high school season. Nakos noted that he's coaching a playoff game on Friday night.

Rivers spent his entire college career at NC State from 2000 to 2003 before spending 18 seasons in the NFL. He returned from a four-year absence to play for the Indianapolis Colts in the final three games of the 2025 campaign.

NC State is carrying a 4-4 record into Saturday's ACC showdown against Duke (6-2). Hiring a new head coach would surely boost morale as the team barrels toward the end of the year.