Future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Philip Rivers now has an exit strategy from the NFL. The Athens, Ala., native was named Friday as the coach-in-waiting at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope.
Rivers has long maintained that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father Steve, who coached him in high school. Now he will get that chance with his own sons.
Rivers, whose family has for years spent much of the offseason on the Gulf Coast, will play this season for the Indianapolis Colts. His one-year contract pays him $25 million. Rivers is unsure if this will be his final season as a player. His agreement with St. Michael stipulates that he will become head coach of the Cardinals whenever his playing career ends.
Rivers is a devout Catholic, who said the values and mission of the school played a major part in making this move a logical fit.
Rivers is expected to to build a house in Fairhope. He and his wife have nine children.