The NC State Wolfpack came into the season labeled as a potential dark horse in the ACC, after a season that provided plenty of excitement, led by the play of quarterback CJ Bailey. While plenty of talented players left the Wolfpack, Bailey's return built excitement, and Doeren pointed to this team being the group that could finally get him a 10 win season.
From the season opening loss to Virginia, it's been clear that NC State had major flaws, and while Doeren wasn't fired for the ridiculous way the Wolfpack lost to Vanderbilt, it seemed like it was only a matter of time. Instead, the final nail in the coffin proved to come on Friday Night when the Wolfpack lost to a struggling Stanford team to fall to 3-4 on the season.
On Saturday evening, the Wolfpack finally pulled the plug, opting to fire Dave Doeren after a long 14 year tenure.
NEWS: NC State has fired coach Dave Doeren. The firing comes in the wake of a loss at Stanford on Friday night. He went 98-74 over his 14 seasons there. NC State is 3-4 and 1-3 in ACC after the Stanford loss. pic.twitter.com/8K4Ej1qXgZ
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 24, 2026
The decision to fire NC State creates a search for a head coach which will be interesting to follow given the programs' place in the ACC hierarchy. While NC State may not lure in a top coordinator or Group of 6 head coach, there's an argument to be made for a program legend.
Could Philip Rivers become NC State's next head coach?
The NC State Wolfpack are now the second Power 4 program to enter the market for a head coach, joining Maryland, which fired Mike Locksley earlier this week. Where the Wolfpack turn will be an interesting question, but one name that will garner a ton of buzz is NFL great and former NC State star Philip Rivers.
Plenty of programs have turned to former NFL stars and program greats, and the Wolfpack could find that their best move is hiring the former quarterback. Rivers played at NC State, and knows what it takes to win, and regardless of who the fans want as their next head coach, they'd all root for him if he was hired.
Rivers has coaching experience, but at the High School level where he went 44-16 with a 25-9 record in league play leading St. Michael Catholic. The quarterback Rivers coached could be the most interesting factor as he coached his son Gunner Rivers at the High School level.
Gunner Rivers is a NC State commit, and could end up being the Wolfpack's quarterback of the future if he continues to build as a passer. Deion Sanders had success at Colorado coaching his sons, and the mix of buzz and experience could make an interesting case for the program.
NC State should leave no stone unturned, especially after being out of the market for 14 seasons with Doeren holding the job. The Wolfpack will likely interview a ton of candidates, but Rivers could end up being the best of the bunch if he's interested in taking the job.
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