ATLANTA – Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has been a topic of conversation around college football over the past week amid the opening at NC State, after head coach last Saturday.
In the days leading up to athletic director Boo Corrigan deciding to make a move with the football program in Raleigh, the talk of Rivers being interested in the potential opening at his alma mater began to pick up within the industry.
On Friday night, the former NC State quarterback was walking his son Gunner Rivers onto the field in Fairhope, Alabama, for St. Michael Catholic’s senior night, where Philip has served as head coach for the past six seasons.
“There’s nothing there at this point,” Rivers told Ben Thomas on Friday night when asked about NC State opening. “You understand the chatter that is out there. Just gotta take it one day at a time is all I know. I’m excited about the postseason with these guys here.
“It’s like I told you last year, you never say never. But, there’s nothing imminent.”
But in Raleigh, NC State administrators and boosters have been putting together a plan in hopes of luring Rivers to the sidelines in college football.
As has previously reported, and confirmed On3‘s Friday report, Wolfpack donors have been discussing the ways in which they could raise the money needed from an NIL perspective to have NC State more competitive in luring talent to Raleigh, with recent talks also focused on if Philip Rivers were to be hired as the next head coach.
These conversations have involved the former NFL quarterback’s representation, while also gauging the temperature of those within the Wolfpack donor base if they were to officially offer Rivers the job.
At this point, Philip has made it clear he is focused on making sure his team, St. Michael Catholic, was prepared for its regular season finale on Friday night and the upcoming high school playoffs that are set to start next week in Alabama.
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Rivers will coach St. Michael Catholic next week against Glenwood, with many expecting them to win, which would then lead to another game the following week in the playoff format.
From a fan perspective, it’s obvious that the Wolfpack would be making a hire that would excite the base, and more importantly help sell tickets and also lead to an influx of donations needed for NIL purposes to compete for an ACC title, and potentially a spot in an expanded college football playoff.
But, you also have to be able to raise enough money to compete, as now former head coach Dave Doeren mentioned this past week during a press conference to reflect on his tenure in Raleigh.
“The resources need to match the expectations,” Doeren mentioned. “I hope for NC State this commitment to football really happens. I pray for the next head coach that he has the opportunity. It’s not the way it used to be.”
Multiple people along the Gulf Coast in Alabama have mentioned to OutKick that they are hopeful that Rivers would take the job if formally offered by NC State, given how highly regarded he is within the community along Mobile Bay.
In speaking with sources close to the situation, NC State is comfortable with the fact that Rivers would be a first-time college football head coach, especially if he puts together the
