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From Uncle Phil to Grandpa Phil to ... Coach Phil?
The NFL Network reports that Philip Rivers could be a head coaching candidate in the upcoming hiring cycle. "The current belief is that Rivers gets at least one opportunity to interview, possibly more," the article said.
Rivers retired in 2020 after taking the Colts to the playoffs but came out of retirement at 44 years old this season to play three more games with the Colts after injuries to quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson. He has been coaching St. Michael Catholic, a high school in Fairhope, Ala., where his son, Gunner, is the quarterback.
But Rivers' comeback, ability to still read defenses, relate to players and obvious love of the game has apparently caught the attention of NFL teams, and possibly changed his mind about coaching at a higher level as well, according to the NFL Network article. He has previously not been interested in speaking to college or NFL teams about coaching.
Only the New York Giants and Tennessee currently have head coaching openings but that number will increase today and Monday.
Rivers has lead St. Michael to the state semifinals twice, including last season, and his son will be a senior next season.
"I've not ruled it out," Rivers said on Up & Adams Show this week when asked about broadcasting. "But every opportunity that's been close to coming or has come up just hasn't felt right. ... The one thing I've loved since I was however old playing this game and being now as a coach is I've been able to have some impact on the score. You might be good at it, talking about it, but I have nothing to do with the outcome of this game."
A head coach certainly has more impact on a game than a broadcaster.
The last time a former NFL player with only high school coaching experience was hired by an NFL team didn't work out so well. The Colts hired former All-Pro center Jeff Saturday as interim coach in 2022 and he went 1-7 to finish the season, leading to the Colts hiring Shane Steichen.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Philip Rivers drawing attention as NFL head coach
Continue reading...
The NFL Network reports that Philip Rivers could be a head coaching candidate in the upcoming hiring cycle. "The current belief is that Rivers gets at least one opportunity to interview, possibly more," the article said.
Rivers retired in 2020 after taking the Colts to the playoffs but came out of retirement at 44 years old this season to play three more games with the Colts after injuries to quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson. He has been coaching St. Michael Catholic, a high school in Fairhope, Ala., where his son, Gunner, is the quarterback.
But Rivers' comeback, ability to still read defenses, relate to players and obvious love of the game has apparently caught the attention of NFL teams, and possibly changed his mind about coaching at a higher level as well, according to the NFL Network article. He has previously not been interested in speaking to college or NFL teams about coaching.
Only the New York Giants and Tennessee currently have head coaching openings but that number will increase today and Monday.
Rivers has lead St. Michael to the state semifinals twice, including last season, and his son will be a senior next season.
"I've not ruled it out," Rivers said on Up & Adams Show this week when asked about broadcasting. "But every opportunity that's been close to coming or has come up just hasn't felt right. ... The one thing I've loved since I was however old playing this game and being now as a coach is I've been able to have some impact on the score. You might be good at it, talking about it, but I have nothing to do with the outcome of this game."
A head coach certainly has more impact on a game than a broadcaster.
The last time a former NFL player with only high school coaching experience was hired by an NFL team didn't work out so well. The Colts hired former All-Pro center Jeff Saturday as interim coach in 2022 and he went 1-7 to finish the season, leading to the Colts hiring Shane Steichen.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Philip Rivers drawing attention as NFL head coach
Continue reading...
