We Speak College Football

NC State Names Philip Rivers Head Football Coach

NC State officially named former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers its head football coach on Friday, signing him to a five-year agreement with an introduction set for Monday, Nov. 16.

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2026

We Speak Media

Philip Rivers, named head football coach at NC State on Nov. 13, 2026 (NC State Athletics)

Philip Rivers was named the head football coach at NC State on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. (NC State Athletics)

NC State has named former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers its head football coach, Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan announced on Friday.

Rivers has signed a five-year agreement and will be formally introduced at a private, invitation-only event on Monday, Nov. 16. The event will air live on the ACC Network and stream on GoPack.com and ACC Network Extra. The university’s Board of Trustees approved the contract in a meeting Friday morning, according to the Associated Press.

“Philip Rivers is one of one and the right person to lead NC State Football into its next era,” Corrigan said. “His accomplishments as a player at the collegiate and professional levels speak for themselves. But throughout this search process, what stood out to me most was his exceptional leadership ability, his character, the way he connects with people and his vision for this program. He is someone who is deeply respected and beloved by Wolfpack Nation, and I couldn’t be more proud that he will be the one leading our football program.”

Rivers started every game at quarterback for NC State from 2000 to 2003, setting what was then an NCAA record for career starts at the position with 51. He remains the ACC’s all-time leading passer with 13,484 yards, was the 2003 ACC Player of the Year, and his No. 17 jersey is retired and displayed in the Ring of Honor at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack won 11 games in 2002, the most in program history, capped by a Gator Bowl win over Notre Dame.

“I am humbled and honored to be the next head football coach at NC State University,” Rivers said. “In many ways, I feel like I’m coming home. This is where it all began for me as an 18-year-old kid from Alabama, and now to return to this great place as head coach is beyond words. I gave it everything I had here as a player for 51 games and I will give it everything I have as the coach. There’s no denying that this is going to take hard work, but we’re not scared of hard.”

“Philip Rivers is the perfect leader for this era in college football,” Chancellor Kevin Howell said. “Philip is a winner who embraces the high expectations we have for NC State Football. He has proven his ability to develop student-athletes and possesses the grit, integrity and vision to lead our program to championships.”

Rivers played 17 NFL seasons, mostly with the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and ranking sixth all-time in the league in passing yards and touchdowns. From 2021 to 2026 he coached at St. Michael’s Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, going 48-20 and reaching the state semifinals in 2024 and 2025. It is his first college coaching job. He replaces Dave Doeren, who was dismissed on Oct. 24 after a 3-4 start to his 14th season, with Todd Goebbel serving as interim coach since.

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We Speak College Football

Benedict Rallies From 24 Points Down to Beat Kentucky State 52-45 in Overtime and Win the SIAC Championship

Published

28 minutes ago

November 15, 2026

KJ Butler

A Benedict receiver in a purple jersey leaps high above a Kentucky State defender to catch the football during the SIAC Championship game.

A Benedict receiver climbs above a Kentucky State defender to pull down a catch during the Tigers' 52-45 overtime win over Kentucky State in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.

Benedict College is a champion again. The Tigers came back from 24 points down on Saturday in Columbia, beating Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime to win the SIAC Championship, the third conference title in program history, and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs came with it.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — November 14, 2026

What started as a competitive conference championship matchup turned into an unforgettable day at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, as Benedict College delivered a remarkable comeback to defeat Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime, capturing its third conference football championship in program history.

With the SIAC Championship on the line, both teams came out ready to compete. The opening quarter featured an evenly matched battle, with both offenses finding opportunities while the defenses worked to establish control. Benedict struck first, taking a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.

Kentucky State Takes Over

However, the momentum quickly shifted in favor of Kentucky State.

The Thorobreds delivered a dominant second quarter, outscoring Benedict 17-0 before continuing their offensive surge in the third. Kentucky State eventually built a 24-point lead after putting together 31 unanswered points, leaving the Tigers with a mountain to climb.

The Comeback

But Benedict wasn’t ready to surrender its championship hopes.

Benedict's quarterback in a purple No. 3 jersey leaps over a diving Kentucky State defender while carrying the football. — *Benedict’s quarterback hurdles a diving Kentucky State tackler as the Tigers rally in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Tigers found another gear in the fourth quarter, putting together a furious comeback and scoring 24 points in the final period to pull even at 45-45. After trailing by as many as 24 points, Benedict had turned what appeared to be a comfortable Kentucky State victory into a championship thriller.

A Wild Final Minute

The final minute of regulation brought even more drama.

With approximately one minute remaining, Kentucky State punted the ball to Benedict, but the Tigers muffed the return, giving the Thorobreds another opportunity to steal the game. Kentucky State moved into position to score, but Benedict’s defense came up with a crucial stop, keeping the Thorobreds out of the end zone.

Benedict's No. 13 in a purple jersey leaps to catch the football with two Kentucky State defenders closing in and fans behind the sideline wall. — *Benedict’s No. 13 pulls down a catch between two Kentucky State defenders during the championship game. Photo by KJ Butler.*

With Kentucky State out of timeouts, clock management became critical. A delay-of-game penalty with nine seconds remaining resulted in a 10-second runoff, sending the game into overtime. The sequence proved costly for the Thorobreds, as a late-game miscommunication and clock-management mishap ended their opportunity to attempt a field goal before regulation expired.

Overtime Decides It

One more possession would determine the championship.

In overtime, Benedict wasted little time making its opportunity count. Quarterback Glenn Foreman connected with Demetris McKelvey on a touchdown pass, giving the Tigers the advantage and putting the pressure squarely on Kentucky State.

Two Benedict defenders collide with a Kentucky State ball carrier in the end zone, knocking the carrier's helmet into the air, with the Benedict band in the background. — *Benedict’s defense delivers a hit that knocks a Kentucky State helmet loose in the end zone during the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Thorobreds were unable to match the score, and Benedict’s sideline erupted in celebration.

After overcoming a 24-point deficit, surviving a dramatic final minute, and finishing the job in overtime, the Tigers walked away with a 52-45 victory and their third conference football championship in program history.

At Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, fans witnessed a comeback that will forever be remembered.

What Is Next

Benedict’s season rolls on into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The SIAC championship carries the conference’s automatic bid, and the Tigers entered the weekend as the No. 1 team in Super Region Two. Benedict learns its first-round opponent at the NCAA Division II selection show on Sunday, November 15 at 6 p.m. ET, with first-round games set for Saturday, November 21.

Kentucky State’s season is not finished either. The Thorobreds close at 8-3 after their first SIAC title game appearance since 2016, and they are expected to land an at-large playoff berth when the bracket is revealed on Sunday night. If their name is called, their first-round game is also Saturday, November 21.