After the Buffalo Bills made the shocking decision to dismiss head coach Sean McDermott on Jan. 19 after the team’s 33-30 AFC Divisional Round overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, the franchise interviewed former Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers for the open role on Friday.
Despite retiring with Indianapolis in 2020 to only return and start three games for the Colts this past season following a season-ending injury to quarterback Daniel Jones, the fourth overall pick by the then-San Diego Chargers in the 2004 NFL draft still appears eager to stay involved at the pro level.
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While his recent stint with the Colts temporarily took him away from the team temporarily, Rivers is currently the head coach of St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. Rivers’ son, Gunner, will be entering his senior year there in the fall and is one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits for the 2027 class.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Hall of Famer Norm Van Brocklin is the only person to play in an NFL season and then become a head coach the very next season. Van Brocklin finished his 12-year playing career in 1960 with the Philadelphia Eagles, only to become head coach of the Minnesota Vikings for their debut season in 1961.
Earlier in January, the 44-year-old former quarterback said he would be receptive to the idea of becoming an NFL head coach if the opportunity presented itself.
I do think, as humbly as I can say it, that I could coach at this level. I know enough about the game and about the guys, and from a leadership standpoint, camaraderie, all that comes with it. But again, that’s not something that I’m sitting here pursuing.
While the Bills have indicated they will conduct a wide search for their next head coach, Rivers certainly has the leadership qualities and knowledge of the game to be a quality head coach in the NFL for either Buffalo or another franchise in the future.
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This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers legend interviews for Bills’ head coaching job