Ben Thomas, an award-winning Alabama sports reporter who has closely tracked Philip Rivers’ coaching career since 2021, declared he would be “stunned” if the former NFL quarterback does not become the next head coach at North Carolina State. Speaking with ABC11’s Travon Miles, Thomas emphasized that while the destination appears certain, the timeline remains the only variable. “I think for the last couple of weeks, I’ve thought Philip Rivers is going to be the coach at North Carolina State at some point,” Thomas stated. “I mean, I think the question right now is when does that happen? When is our announcement made?”
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The confidence in Rivers’ imminent arrival stems from direct interactions between the former St. Michael Catholic head coach and NC State administration. Thomas revealed that Rivers met with Wolfpack officials earlier in the week in Fairhope, Alabama, signaling a decisive step in the hiring process. This face-to-face engagement suggests that the back-and-forth of the search has concluded, leaving only the formalities of contract negotiations and public announcement. For a program looking to revitalize its football identity, securing a high-profile former NFL star represents a significant strategic shift.
Thomas noted that his belief in Rivers’ candidacy solidified as soon as NC State moved on from previous candidates, viewing the former quarterback as the logical successor to elevate the program’s national profile. With Rivers having built a strong reputation in high school football since his 2021 arrival in the state, the transition to the FBS level appears imminent. As speculation mounts in Raleigh, the sports community awaits the official confirmation that will mark the beginning of a new era for the Wolfpack.
Source: Yahoo Sports
