Fairhope’s Philip Rivers Reported Candidate for NC State Head Coaching Job After Dave Doeren Firing

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — North Carolina State University has launched a national search for a new head football coach after firing Dave Doeren, and one of the most famous players in Wolfpack history — Fairhope’s own Philip Rivers — is reportedly among the candidates.

National reports have identified Rivers, the former NC State and NFL quarterback who now coaches at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, as a candidate for the job.

NC State opens a national search

Wolfpack Athletic Director Boo Corrigan said the university will conduct a thorough national search to find Doeren’s replacement. Doeren had been NC State’s head coach since the 2013 season, making him one of the longest-tenured coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Rivers’ deep ties to the school and his growing reputation as a coach immediately fueled national speculation once the job came open.

A Wolfpack legend

Rivers is one of the most accomplished players ever to wear an NC State uniform. He started at quarterback for the Wolfpack for four seasons, from 2000 through 2003, and left school as one of the most prolific passers in college football history at the time.

He went on to play 17 seasons in the NFL, most of them with the Chargers, first in San Diego and later in Los Angeles. He finished his career with the Indianapolis Colts. Over his NFL career, Rivers was selected to multiple Pro Bowls and became known for his durability, his competitiveness and his distinctive personality on the field. Many observers consider him a future Pro Football Hall of Fame selection.

Building a program in Fairhope

After retiring from the NFL, Rivers moved his family to Baldwin County and became head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope. He has spent his post-playing career there, building the program and gaining hands-on coaching experience at the high school level.

Rivers’ father, Steve Rivers, was a longtime high school football coach in Alabama, and Philip grew up around the game in Decatur, where he played high school football for his father at Athens High School. Coaching has long been described as a natural next step for him.

The Gunner Rivers factor

A potential hire would carry major recruiting implications for NC State. Rivers’ son, Gunner Rivers, is a highly touted quarterback recruit who recently committed to play for North Carolina State next season.

Gunner has played quarterback for his father at St. Michael. Late last week, Philip Rivers said Gunner would sit out the rest of St. Michael’s regular season.

If NC State were to hire Philip Rivers, the Wolfpack would have a father-son coach and quarterback pairing at a Power Four program, a storyline that would draw national attention.

What it would mean for St. Michael

For St. Michael Catholic and the Fairhope community, the reports raise the possibility of losing a coach who has brought significant attention to the school’s football program. Nothing has been announced, and NC State has not said who it plans to interview or when it expects to make a hire.

St. Michael has continued its season in the Private Class AA ranks. On Friday night, the Cardinals beat Montgomery Catholic 38-31 to claim third place in the Private Class AA, Region 1 standings.

Big jump from high school to college

Moving directly from high school head coach to a Power Four head coaching job would be an unusual leap. Most major college head coaches come from the ranks of college coordinators, head coaches at smaller programs or NFL assistant jobs. But schools have increasingly been willing to consider candidates with strong ties to the program, star power and recruiting appeal.

Rivers’ supporters point to his deep understanding of the quarterback position, his years in NFL locker rooms and his connection to NC State fans. Skeptics would point to his lack of college coaching experience. How NC State weighs those factors will become clearer as its search moves forward.

What’s next

• NC State is conducting a national search for a new head football coach.
• Philip Rivers has been named in national reports as a candidate.
• Neither Rivers nor NC State has publicly confirmed any talks.
• Gunner Rivers is committed to play quarterback at NC State next season.

South Alabama News will follow the search and any developments involving Rivers and St. Michael Catholic.

Philip Rivers at a glance

• College: NC State quarterback, 2000–2003
• NFL: 17 seasons, primarily with the Chargers; final season with the Indianapolis Colts
• Current job: Head football coach, St. Michael Catholic High School, Fairhope
• Family tie to NC State: Son Gunner Rivers, a quarterback recruit committed to the Wolfpack
• Status: Reported candidate for NC State’s head coaching vacancy