Account
Colts' Philip Rivers Named Head Coach at Alabama HS Pending NFL Retirement
May 8, 2020
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers was named the head coach in waiting for the football team at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, on Friday, and he will take the job whenever he retires from the NFL.
According to AL.com's Ben Thomas, St. Michael Catholic High School made the announcement during a press conference at the school, and athletic director Paul Knapstein will serve as the interim head coach until Rivers is ready to assume the role.
Rivers said the following about the news: "It's a special day for me and my family really. I will probably get a little emotional. I had two childhood dreams. One was to play in the NFL, and I'm now going into my 17th season. The other was to be a high school football coach as my dad was. How blessed am I to be able to live both of those out."
Before starring at NC State collegiately and with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL, Rivers played high school football at Athens High in Athens, Alabama, under his father Steve Rivers.
While Rivers already has a job lined up in retirement, he didn't provide any definitive timeline for when he plans to step away from the NFL:
"I think it is a one year at a time deal. You get to 38 and play as long as I have ... I've expressed publicly and the Colts have said too they hope it's more than one year. But we take it one year at a time. I love playing. When that time does end, you will get the same passion and work ethic at this school and community that I've poured into my career."
The Decatur, Alabama, native spent the first 16 years of his NFL career with the Chargers, but when L.A. decided to go in a different direction this offseason, he signed a one-year, $25 million contract with the Colts.
Indy signed Rivers hoping he can make them a playoff team and Super Bowl contender. Rivers is joining a squad with a top-flight offensive line, a great running game anchored by Marlon Mack and rookie Jonathan Taylor, and a talented defense.
Although he has never played in a Super Bowl, Rivers led the Chargers to the playoffs six times, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game during the 2007 season.
Rivers is a potential future Pro Football Hall of Famer, as he ranks sixth all-time in both passing yards (59,271) and passing touchdowns (397). One of the few major things missing from Rivers' resume is a Lombardi Trophy.
Rivers is undoubtedly closer to the end of his playing career than the beginning, but agreeing to coach high school football means he can remain involved in the sport he loves for many years to come.