Philip Rivers set to take over St. Michael Catholic football program

Fairhope, AL – After 17 seasons as an NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has announced his retirement.  The likely future Hall of Famer will hang up his cleats and pick-up a whistle.  

Rivers’ officially became the head coach at Fairhope’s St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Ala., effective upon his retirement.  He was announced as the south Alabama program’s next head coach last May. He plans to be on campus in April, in time to get to know his players before spring training begins.

“What has helped me come to this decision is the growing desire to coach high school football,” he said. “That’s what I’ve always wanted to do. It’s been growing. I can’t wait.”

Rivers’ father Steve, a long time Alabama prep football coach, was Philip’s head coach at Athens High School. 

Rivers remarked in May that becoming a high school head football coach has been one of his two career dreams, the other being an NFL quarterback, which he has lived out for 17 years.

“I had two childhood dreams,” Rivers told AL.com. “One was to play in the NFL, and I’m now going into my 17th season. The other was to be a high school football coach as my dad was. How blessed am I to be able to live both of those out.”

In 16 starts in 2020, Rivers led the Colts to an 11-5 record and a playoff spot. However, they fell to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round of the playoffs two weeks ago. Rivers finished the 2020 regular season 369 of 543 passing (68% completion percentage) for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

In 17 seasons (16 with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, 1 with the Indianapolis Colts), Rivers threw for 63,440 yards, 421 touchdowns, 209 interceptions and completed 64.9% of his passes. Rivers is fifth all time in passing yards, trailing Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre. He is also fifth in career touchdown passes behind the same set of quarterbacks.