Russell Wilson has interviewed for the North Carolina State head coaching job, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, adding a surprising new twist to a search that already includes another former Wolfpack quarterback.
Wilson met with NC State on Tuesday, ESPN reported. The former Seattle Seahawks star spent three seasons as the Wolfpack’s quarterback from 2008-10 before transferring to Wisconsin for his final college year in 2011.
ESPN also reported Saturday that Philip Rivers has “engaged in serious discussions” about coaching his alma mater. Rivers, an eight-time Pro Bowler, is also an NC State alum.
The Wolfpack moved on from Dave Doeren on Oct. 24 after a 3-4 start. Doeren had been in charge for 14 seasons.
Wilson, 37, retired from the NFL in June after a 14-year career and is spending this fall as a CBS Sports analyst on “The NFL Today” pregame show.
His NFL run included a decade in Seattle from 2012-21, where he became known for his deep ball and his ability to escape pressure. He led the Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances and the franchise’s first title, while also setting team records, finishing top four in AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year voting three times and earning the NFL’s 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Wilson’s career took a different turn after Seattle traded him to Denver in March 2022 in a blockbuster deal. The move sent the Seahawks in one direction and Wilson in another. Seattle used the draft capital from that trade to help build the team that won the 2025 Super Bowl, while Wilson’s career slid the other way.
He finished his post-Seattle stretch 17-27 as a starter across three teams in four seasons. He was 11-19 in Denver from 2022-23, 6-5 with Pittsburgh in 2024 and 0-3 with the New York Giants in 2025 before first-round pick Jaxson Dart took over.
For his career, Wilson threw for 46,966 yards, 353 touchdowns and 114 interceptions. He also rushed for 5,568 yards and 31 scores, making him the only player in NFL history to top both 40,000 passing yards and 5,000 rushing yards.
In Other News...
Nebraska Football Has A Brutal Problem Fans Are Tired Of Watching
Matt Rhule spent part of his latest media session looking back at Washington and part of it turning the page to Illinois, with Nebraska still trying to shake off the frustration of a season that keeps slipping away late. The Cornhuskers have been in position to win every game this year, carrying a lead into the fourth quarter each time, only to come up short when it matters most. It has become the kind of pattern that wears on a fan base, especially when the head coach keeps having to answer for the same ending.
Rhule said he intends to keep pushing through the criticism and the losses, but the challenge now is less about effort than finishing. Nebraska has shown enough early in games to suggest it can hang with opponents, and that is what makes the string of missed opportunities sting even more. Elsewhere on campus, both the mens and womens basketball teams opened their seasons with wins, giving Nebraska fans a little relief while the football team searches for a way to close out a game. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Colandrea Owns Nebraskas Costly Mistakes Before Illinois
Anthony Colandrea didnt hide from the damage after Nebraskas 17-10 loss to Washington, pointing to his three interceptions as a major reason the game slipped away. The quarterback also talked through the larger offensive issues that showed up in the loss, from staying on schedule to keeping the unit in rhythm, and made clear he understands how costly those mistakes can be for a team trying to find its footing.
Colandrea also said he intends to return to Nebraska in 2027, a note that adds some long-range stability to a season still searching for cleaner execution. For now, though, the focus is on getting the offense to function as one group, especially with the environment around the game and the pressure of the moment exposing how thin the margin is when Nebraska gives away possessions. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Should Watch Nebraskas Injury Report Very Closely This Week
Nebraskas injury report is worth watching closely this week as the Cornhuskers get ready for Illinois, with a few key names still in question. Jamir Conn is listed as questionable after practicing, but he still needs further clearance, while Gunnar Gottula is also questionable as he continues to recover from a head injury.
The bigger picture is a roster that has already taken on some wear and tear this season. Vincent Genatone is out for the year after surgery, Anthony Jones Jr. remains sidelined with a broken foot but is expected back before the season ends, and several other Nebraska players have been listed as out since the season began, leaving the Huskers with a lot to monitor heading into the matchup. [Read more 🡒]