NC State fired Dave Doeren on Saturday after 14 seasons leading the Wolfpack's program, USA TODAY Sports confirmed before the program announced the leadership change.
The next looming question becomes: Who becomes Doeren's successor in Raleigh?
That's a question that will be played out by a national search the Wolfpack will conduct over the coming weeks (and months), but one potential option could be former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers — or at least Rivers is one name being tossed around on multiple reports and message boards.
NC State coaching candidates: Philip Rivers, Scott Satterfield head list
Doeren's firing comes after the Wolfpack fell 31-28 on the road at Stanford on Friday night out on the West Coast, dropping NC State to 1-3 in ACC play on the season. The loss to the Cardinal added to a trend for the program under Doeren that dates back to the start of the 2024 season: NC State recorded just nine victories against Power Four opponents under its former coach.
That said, how seriously will Rivers' resume and candidacy be considered for the NC State job?
Here's a deeper look into Rivers' candidacy:
Could Philip Rivers be a candidate for NC State football coach job?
It's entirely possible that Rivers could be the successor to Doeren in Raleigh, but it's a long shot.
The reason Rivers' candidacy is considered a long shot is he does not have college football coaching experience, though that hasn't stopped a head coaching hire in the ACC before; just look to the Wolfpack's Tobacco Road rival, North Carolina, hiring Bill Belichick from the NFL. That all said, Rivers does have coaching experience, as he is a successful high school coach in Alabama.
Rivers interviewed for the Buffalo Bills' head coaching position this past offseason but later withdrew from the coaching search.NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the veteran quarterback "enjoyed the process with Buffalo" but also noted the former NFL playmaker and his family felt it "isn’t the right time" for him to take on an NFL coaching job.
Philip Rivers-NC State ties explained
Before going on to have an 18-year career in the NFL with the then-San Diego and now-Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts, Rivers played collegiately at NC State under Chuck Amato from 2000 to 2003.
The eight-time Pro Bowler was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2000 after throwing for 3,054 yards and 25 touchdowns in his freshman season. He broke nine program single-season passing records that season as well. He followed up that season by being an All-ACC selection in 2002 and 2003, while winning ACC Player of the Year in 2003 as well.
His son, Gunner Rivers, is also an NC State commit.247Sports' Composite ranks the younger Rivers as a four-star recruit and the No. 12 quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class and the No. 139 overall prospect in the class.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Could NC State really hire Philip Rivers? Inside his case to replace Dave Doeren