NC State’s football team celebrated a fresh start Saturday with a 31-10 victory over California in the first game since Dave Doeren was dismissed as head coach. Meanwhile, momentum continued to build toward a potentially historic homecoming for former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers.
Rivers and NC State are engaged in serious discussions about the school’s vacant head coaching position, according to separate Saturday reports from ESPN and The Athletic.
The reports represent the strongest indications yet that Rivers, one of the most celebrated players in NC State history, could be nearing a return to Raleigh as the successor to Doeren.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Mark Schlabach reported that Rivers has emerged as the leading candidate, although an agreement is not yet close. The 44-year-old former NFL quarterback has not met with NC State officials in person, but discussions have begun about assembling a football staff and front office.
The Athletic, citing two people familiar with the conversations, reported that the sides are also working through questions involving staffing and roster resources.
The developments came as interim head coach Todd Goebbel guided NC State to a convincing Homecoming victory over Cal in the Wolfpack’s first game without Doeren in 14 seasons.
NC State improved to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in ACC play.
Rivers: NC State is ‘special to me’
Rivers addressed the growing speculation Friday night following St. Michael Catholic High School’s 53-32 loss to Foley in Alabama.
Speaking with Ben Thomas of AL.com, Rivers expressed his affection for NC State while emphasizing that no announcement was imminent.
“NC State is special to me,” Rivers said.
He also praised Doeren, the winningest coach in Wolfpack history, for his 14 seasons leading the program.
Rivers acknowledged the growing attention surrounding the coaching vacancy but stopped short of confirming that he would pursue the position.
“You never say never, but there’s nothing imminent,” he said.
St. Michael coach Philip Rivers on reports linking him to the head coaching job at his alma mater, N.C. State. https://t.co/VqK0E6hfZq — Ben Thomas (@BenThomasPreps) October 31, 2026
Asked whether his recent return to the NFL and subsequent interview for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching vacancy had increased his interest in coaching at a higher level, Rivers acknowledged that NC State presented a unique opportunity.
“You’re talking about NC State. I think that makes things a little different in terms of your love for the place,” Rivers said.
High school playoffs could affect the timetable
One potential complication is Rivers’ commitment to finishing the season at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope, AL.
Rivers has coached the Cardinals since 2021, building a program that reached the Alabama state semifinals in each of the past two seasons.
St. Michael finished the 2026 regular season 6-4 and will host Glenwood in the opening round of the Alabama Independent School Association playoffs next week.
According to The Athletic and ESPN, Rivers has indicated that he wants to complete the high school season before departing for another opportunity.
The Cardinals could play into early December if they advance to the state championship game.
That creates a potentially unusual timetable for NC State, which must also consider recruiting, the transfer portal and preparations for the 2027 season. The early signing period for 2027 high school football prospects is Dec. 2-4.
Resources could be central to an agreement
Beyond the timing of a potential hire, another significant issue involves the resources NC State would commit to its football program.
The Athletic reported that staffing and roster support are among the subjects being discussed.
Those questions carry particular importance because Rivers has never coached at the college level. He would be entering an increasingly complex environment involving player compensation, roster retention, recruiting and transfer portal management.
Doeren raised similar concerns following his dismissal, arguing that NC State would need to increase its financial commitment to compete for championships.
“For this program to become what is wanted and expected, the resources need to match the expectations,” Doeren said during a zoom call with media earlier this week.
Rivers’ reputation and connections to NC State could potentially help generate additional financial support from donors and boosters.
His hiring would also represent one of the most unconventional coaching moves in recent ACC history.
The Gunner Rivers factor
The potential homecoming carries an additional family connection.
Rivers’ son, Gunner, is a four-star quarterback prospect who committed to NC State in February and is part of the Wolfpack’s 2027 recruiting class.
Gunner reaffirmed his commitment to NC State on Friday night, according to Pack Power/247Sports.
The younger Rivers has missed parts of his senior season at St. Michael Catholic because of a knee injury.
His commitment adds another intriguing dimension to the coaching search, raising the possibility that Philip Rivers could eventually coach his son at the same university where he became a college football legend.
A Wolfpack legend with an unconventional résumé
Rivers starred at NC State from 2000-03 under head coach Chuck Amato, throwing for a school-record 13,484 yards and 95 touchdowns.
He led the Wolfpack to four consecutive bowl appearances, including an 11-win season in 2002, and earned ACC Player of the Year honors in 2003.
Selected fourth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft, Rivers went on to become one of the most prolific passers in league history.
The eight-time Pro Bowl selection threw for more than 63,000 yards and 425 touchdowns during his NFL career, primarily with the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers.
He returned from retirement for a brief stint with the Indianapolis Colts in 2025 and subsequently interviewed for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching vacancy.
Despite those accomplishments, Rivers has never worked as a college assistant or head coach.
That lack of collegiate coaching experience would make his hiring a considerable gamble.
But his deep ties to NC State, football knowledge, leadership experience and ability to energize the Wolfpack fan base could make him an appealing candidate for a program seeking a new direction.
What’s next for NC State?
NC State’s 31-10 victory over California provided an encouraging beginning to the post-Doeren era. Davion Gause rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown, while C.J. Bailey threw touchdown passes to Chance Robinson and Deandre Desinor. Popo Aguirre made 16 tackles, including eight solo stops and two tackles-for-loss.
But the bigger questions surrounding the program’s future remain unresolved.
Doeren was dismissed Oct. 24 following a 31-28 loss at Stanford, ending a tenure that included a school-record 98 victories but no ACC championship.
Goebbel will continue to lead the Wolfpack on an interim basis while the university searches for its next permanent head coach.
With multiple national outlets now reporting serious discussions between NC State and Rivers, the possibility of a reunion appears increasingly realistic.
Whether those conversations produce an agreement — and how quickly that might happen — remains to be seen.
NC Football News will continue to follow the NC State coaching search as it unfolds.
