Russell Wilson interviews for NC State head coaching job as Wolfpack search widens

NC State's search for a new head coach now has a second former Wolfpack quarterback with NFL star power in it. Russell Wilson interviewed for the job on Tuesday, according to sources who spoke to Adam Schefter, ESPN reported. That puts the 38-year-old next to Philip Rivers as one of the most prominent names in the process.

The opening came on Oct. 24, when NC State fired Dave Doeren. Both candidates are former Wolfpack quarterbacks, and neither has coached at the college level. Wilson played in Raleigh from 2008 to 2010, then transferred to Wisconsin for his final college season. Seattle took him in the third round of the 2012 draft. He went on to play 14 NFL seasons, made 10 Pro Bowls and led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl title after the 2013 season. In June he retired to become a CBS Sports analyst, so if he were hired he would leave a broadcast booth after only a few months.

Rivers comes in with more time on a sideline. He played at NC State from 2000 to 2003 and is in his sixth season as head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where he has reached the state semifinals in each of the past two years. ESPN reported that the 44-year-old has told NC State he wants to finish his high school season first. That could matter to a school that also has to weigh how fast it wants a new coach in place.

Wilson's interview shows NC State is willing to look past a standard coaching résumé. For now, the people inside the building are coaching out a season that has gone back and forth.

What it means for Duke

The Wolfpack are 4-4 and play Duke on Saturday, Nov. 7, on the CW. Their results have swung widely from week to week. They won 31-10 over Cal last time out, a week after a 31-28 loss at Stanford and two weeks after Wake Forest beat them 38-14 at home. Every win has come in Raleigh, where they are 4-1. They are 0-3 on the road, with losses at Virginia, Vanderbilt and Stanford. Take out the 73-0 win over Richmond and NC State has scored 184 points and allowed 207 in its other seven games. The defense has given up 31 or more five times.

The market has Duke favored. Across the 12 venues on this site's board, Novig lists Duke at -178 on the moneyline and NC State at +170. The spread is Duke -4.5. Novig prices NC State +4.5 at -108, and the best number for the Wolfpack anywhere is Fanatics at +5.5 (-115), a full point more. The total sits at 51.5 on Novig, with the over at -102. Hard Rock Bet has the lowest over line at 50.5 (-115). The venues are fairly close together. Sportsbook hold runs 3.6% to 6.7% on the moneyline and 3.8% to 7.0% on the spread.

A home win would move NC State to 5-4 and within one win of bowl eligibility. A loss would push the program toward a coaching hire that has to start with a rebuild. Follow the Wolfpack's season on the NC State team page.