NC State Coaching Search: Philip Rivers, Dan Mullen Among Top Candidates to Replace Dave Doeren

NC State is on the hunt for a new head football coach after Dave Doeren's departure, and the list of potential successors features some familiar names. Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers, the former NC State and NFL quarterback, is a prominent option. Rivers has deep ties to the program and his son, Gunner Rivers, is a top recruit committed to NC State in the 2027 class, which could make the hire even more impactful for the program's future. Dan Mullen, the former Florida and Mississippi State head coach, is also in the mix, bringing a proven track record of developing quarterbacks and winning in the SEC. The coaching search comes at a pivotal time for the Wolfpack, who are looking to build on recent success and compete at the top of the ACC. The choice will shape the program's trajectory, especially with a highly touted recruit like Gunner Rivers already in the fold. Whoever takes the helm will inherit a roster with potential and the pressure to deliver immediately in Raleigh.