Russell Wilson has surfaced as an unexpected name in NC State’s head coaching search, and the former Seahawks star has already interviewed for the opening, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
That puts Wilson in the mix with another former NFL quarterback, Philip Rivers, as the Wolfpack work to replace Dave Doeren, who finished his NC State tenure with a 98-74 record. The school appears to be casting a wide net and weighing high-profile options before making its decision.
Wilson’s connection to the program runs deep. He spent three seasons at NC State before transferring to Wisconsin for his final college season, and his interview adds another twist to a search that already had plenty of star power.
Schefter reported the news on social media, writing: “Former Super Bowl champion QB Russell Wilson interviewed today for the head coaching job at North Carolina State, where he played three seasons,” Schefter wrote. “NC State now has two former NFL greats who starred there, Wilson and Philip Rivers, as prominent head-coaching candidates.”
Wilson’s college production in Raleigh was strong. Over three seasons, he threw for 8,545 yards and 76 touchdowns while also running for 17 scores.
Even with Wilson now officially in the conversation, Rivers still appears to be the front-runner. Recent reporting has pointed toward the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback as the likeliest hire, and CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz offered an update on where that pursuit stands.
“The two sides are expected to have further communication in the near future and there’s continued momentum at the moment toward Rivers ultimately being the hire, sources tell CBS Sports,” Zenitz reported. “Nothing final at this point though.”
So while Wilson’s interview confirms NC State is still exploring options, Rivers remains the name with the clearest momentum as the Wolfpack move toward their next head coach.
In Other News...
NC State Still Has One Big Lineup Concern Before Duke
The ACCs second availability report for NC States trip to Duke brought some notable movement, and not all of it was encouraging for a Wolfpack team trying to sort out its lineup before a key matchup. Four players who had been listed as probable the day before are no longer on the report, including three defensive starters, which at least suggests some of those situations may have improved as game day approaches.
The bigger concern now sits on offense, where Preston Douglas has been ruled out and two other important pieces remain questionable. Duke Scott and Teague Andersen are still in limbo, leaving NC State with at least one significant lineup decision still hanging over the buildup to the Duke game. [Read more 🡒]
Philip Rivers Could Be Coaching For More Than A Playoff Win
Philip Rivers has spent the past four seasons building a coaching rsum at St. Michael Catholic High School, where the former NC State quarterback has been on the sideline since 2021 after an 18-season NFL career. Now his next move could pull him back into the college game, with NC State searching for its next head coach and Rivers emerging as the name to watch.
The process has already moved beyond idle speculation, with university officials meeting with Rivers and the schools Board of Trustees set to approve the next coachs contract. For Wolfpack fans, the appeal is obvious - a familiar face with deep ties to the program and a long football pedigree - but the final step still has to be taken before any reunion becomes official. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Faces A Brutal Duke Test With Plenty On The Line
NC State heads into its matchup with Duke trying to keep the focus on football, even as the broader backdrop remains noisy with an ongoing coaching search. The Wolfpack have reason to feel a little better about their offense, though, with Duke Scott back in the lineup after missing the last three games, giving the run game another option as the team tries to settle in and stay present for a game that matters beyond the usual rivalry edge.
The challenge is obvious: Duke brings a physical rushing attack of its own, led by Nate Sheppard, and that kind of test can expose any team still juggling distractions. For NC State, this is the sort of week where details matter and the margin can shrink quickly, especially against an opponent that has been steady on the ground and arrives with plenty of confidence in how it wants to play. [Read more 🡒]