It's official: former NFL All-Pro quarterback and NC State legend Philip Rivers has been named the Wolfpack's newest head coach.
While he has no experience coaching at the college level, the former San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts quarterbacktook over a fairly young St. Michael Catholic (AL) program after his playing days ended in 2021.
The Fairhope-area school opened in 2018, and over its first three years, the Cardinals compiled a 6-15 record. Given how the first few years went without him, Rivers' first season at the school was a massive success. The team went 7-2 overall—4-2 in regional play—but did not qualify for the postseason.
Year two of Rivers at St. Michael Catholic had its fair share of ups and downs. The Cardinals finished
the year 5-5, missing out on postseason play, and had similar results in 2023, finishing 6-5.
However, the 2023 season was also the first year the Rivers' son, Gunner, took over as the program's starting quarterback, and he shined. Gunner finished his freshman season completing 63% of his passes for 3,077 yards and 29 touchdowns to just four interceptions.
With Gunner leading his dad's team the next year, the program took a step forward, finishing 12-2 and winning its first postseason game. The Cardinals made it to the state semifinals before losing to Jackson (AL) 49-28.
As a junior, Gunner led the program back to the state semifinals, and the team improved on the year before, finishing 13-1. That one loss came to Jackson again as the Cardinals fell in the state semifinals, 44-23.
The 2026 season was expected by many to be the year for Philip, Gunner and the rest of the Cardinals to take that next step towards a state title.
Closing in on many state records, Gunner also announced his commitment to NC State, his dad's alma mater, earlier in the year, getting that decision out of the way. As high as expectations were, they were quickly under fire in the first game of the year.
On St. Michael Catholic's second drive against Battle Ground Academy (TN), Gunner suffered a knee injury that kept him out for much of the game. The Cardinals lost that game by 23 and started the year by losing three straight games.
Rivers turned things around, winning six straight games and securing a spot in the postseason. They would lose to Foley in the regular-season finale, setting up a showdown with Glenwood (AL), a team they beat by 21 on Oct. 16, in the first round of the playoffs.
Even with Gunner back, it would be the final game for the father-son duo as Glenwood pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 42-35 win that ended St. Michael Catholic's season and Rivers' tenure at the school.
In five seasons with the Cardinals, Philip guided the Cardinals to a 49-20 overall record and a 32-10 record in region play. In postseason play, Rivers' teams compiled a 6-4 record.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Philip Rivers' high school coaching record: What NC State is getting
