Russell Wilson Interviews for NC State's Head Coaching Job

NC State's coaching search now has two of the most famous quarterbacks in program history in it. Russell Wilson, the former Super Bowl champion who played three seasons for the Wolfpack, interviewed for the head coaching job on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Citing sources, Schefter reported Tuesday night that NC State now has two former NFL greats who starred in Raleigh, Wilson and Philip Rivers, as prominent candidates to replace Dave Doeren. The school has not publicly confirmed the interview.

Wilson's name surfaced on the same day CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported "continued momentum" toward Rivers being the hire, with the two sides expected to talk again soon. Zenitz added that nothing is final. Rivers has been at the center of the search since last week, when he was reported to be in serious talks with the school.

From Raleigh to a Super Bowl ring

Wilson started at quarterback for NC State from 2008 to 2010. As a redshirt freshman in 2008, he became the first freshman quarterback in ACC history named first-team All-ACC. He later set an NCAA record by throwing 379 straight passes without an interception, and in 2010 he led the Wolfpack to a 9-4 record, a 23-7 win over West Virginia in the Champs Sports Bowl and second-team All-ACC honors.

His exit was not a smooth one. Wilson was also playing minor league baseball in the Colorado Rockies organization, and in April 2011 then-coach Tom O'Brien granted him a release from his football scholarship. Wilson transferred to Wisconsin, set the FBS single-season record for passer rating and led the Badgers to the Rose Bowl.

Seattle took him in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft, 75th overall. Two seasons later, he won Super Bowl XLVIII as the Seahawks routed Denver 43-8. Wilson played 14 NFL seasons with the Seahawks, Broncos, Steelers and Giants, made 10 Pro Bowls and retired in June to join CBS Sports as a studio analyst.

Two big names, little coaching experience

Hiring Wilson would be an even bigger leap than hiring Rivers. Wilson has never coached at any level. Rivers is in his sixth season as head coach at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope, Ala., but has never coached in college or the NFL.

Rivers also has a family tie to the program. His son, Gunner Rivers, is a four-star quarterback in the 2027 class who is committed to NC State.

Where NC State stands

NC State fired Doeren on Oct. 24, midway through his 14th season and the day after a 31-28 loss at Stanford. He left as the winningest coach in school history. Interim coach Todd Goebbel won his debut 31-10 over Cal on Saturday, and the Wolfpack, now 4-4, play Duke this weekend.

Athletic director Boo Corrigan has said the school will run a national search, and NC State has not announced any finalists.

The last word

Rivers still looks like the front-runner, but Wilson's interview shows NC State is weighing more than one famous alum. Either hire would bring a star quarterback home to Raleigh without a college coaching track record.

Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports, the Associated Press and Undrafted reporting. More college football coverage on Undrafted.

Photo: andrewtat94 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).