Bills interview Philip Rivers for head coach position

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Bills’ search for a new head coach has kicked into high gear over the past couple of days, and the list of candidates grew Friday to include former quarterback Philip Rivers.

Rivers, who has never coached at the collegiate or professional level, was interviewed by the Bills on Friday in Florida, the team announced. Rivers is the coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama.

The quarterback, who retired after one season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020, rejoined the team in December when Daniel Jones tore his right Achilles. Rivers started three games as the Colts went 0-3 and were eliminated from playoff contention.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been in all the team’s coaching interviews thus far, and the expectation is that will continue.

“[Rivers’ return is] really cool,” Allen said in December. “I didn’t know what to expect, obviously, when he came back, but it’s really awesome. Just the way that he’s gone back out there. He was deciphering that defense extremely well and making some plays for his team, and it was inspiring to watch.”

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only one person since 1950 has played in the NFL one season and then served as a head coach the next. Hall of Famer Norm Van Brocklin finished his 12-season playing career in 1960 with the Philadelphia Eagles, then became head coach of the Minnesota Vikings for their debut season in 1961 when they went 3-11.

Rivers, 44, played 18 NFL seasons, 16 of those with the Chargers. His final playoff game came in the 2020 season against the Bills, a 27-24 Colts loss.

Earlier this month, as his second stint with the Colts was ending, Rivers said he would be open to the idea of coaching in the NFL in the future.

“I do think, as humbly as I can say it, that I could coach at this level,” Rivers said. “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.”

The Bills are conducting what general manager Brandon Beane said would be a wide-open search, including also interviewing former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Friday. Buffalo has already interviewed offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Bills offensive coordinator and New York Giants coach Brian Daboll and Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Interviews are scheduled with former Bills assistant coach Anthony Lynn, former Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.

Information from ESPN’s Stephen Holder was used in this report.