Keeping it in the Pack: NC State eyes Rivers as top coach candidate, sources say

NC State is looking back to look ahead, identifying program legend Philip Rivers as its top candidate to be the school's next head football coach, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

Rivers, who played quarterback at NC State from 2000 to 2003, is in his sixth season as coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. Rivers, who has never coached in college, led the Cardinals to the state playoff semifinals the previous two seasons.

The 44-year-old had told NC State that he wants to finish the current high school season, sources said. St. Michael's season ended on Friday night.

Rivers emerged as the favorite to replace Dave Doeren, who was fired Oct. 24, in the early stages of the…