Philip Rivers Withdraws From Bills Head Coaching Opportunity
Rivers Steps Back from Buffalo Opportunity
Philip Rivers has withdrawn from consideration for the Buffalo Bills' head coaching position following an interview last Friday. The former NFL quarterback, who recently returned to play for the Indianapolis Colts after five years of retirement, decided the timing wasn't right for an NFL coaching role. At 44 years old, Rivers determined that transitioning directly from high school coaching to an NFL head coaching position would be premature for both his career and his family.
Why the Unexpected Candidacy Mattered
Rivers emerged as an intriguing candidate due to his extensive offensive knowledge from eighteen NFL seasons and his mentorship relationship with Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Buffalo sought an offensive-minded coach to complement their star player, and Rivers' ability to speak quarterback-to-quarterback presented a unique advantage. However, his lack of collegiate or professional coaching experience raised questions about readiness for such a demanding role.
What's Next for the Bills
Buffalo continues evaluating other candidates including Davis Webb, Nate Scheelhaase, and Grant Udinski. Rivers will return to coaching at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, where his son plays. Future NFL coaching cycles may see his name resurface as he gains additional experience.
```About the People Mentioned
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers is a retired NFL quarterback born on December 8, 1981, in Decatur, Alabama.[1][2][3] Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 228 pounds, he starred at North Carolina State University from 2000 to 2003, earning ACC Rookie of the Year in 2000, ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, and ACC Athlete of the Year in 2004, along with All-ACC honors.[2] Selected fourth overall by the New York Giants in the 2004 NFL Draft, Rivers was immediately traded to the San Diego Chargers for Eli Manning.[1][2] He spent 16 seasons with the Chargers (2004-2019), becoming an eight-time Pro Bowler (2006, 2008-2011, 2013, 2016-2018), NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2013, and leading the league in passer rating (2008), passing touchdowns (co-leader, 2008), passing yards (2010), and completion percentage (2013).[2][5] He holds over 30 Chargers franchise records and became the ninth quarterback to reach 120 regular-season wins, extending a 14-season streak of 3,000-plus passing yards.[1][5] In 2020, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent, achieving milestones like surpassing Dan Marino on the all-time touchdown passes list.[1] After 17 NFL seasons, Rivers retired in early 2021 following the Colts' playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.[1][2][4] He briefly considered a 2021 comeback but did not return.[4] As of recent reports, Rivers coaches football at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, maintaining relevance through his coaching role and Hall of Fame induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2022).[2] His career legacy includes consistent production and a distinctive playing style marked by toughness and precision.[1][4]
Josh Allen
Josh Allen, born May 21, 1996, in Firebaugh, California, is a professional American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. Raised in a farming family, Allen emerged as a talented athlete at Firebaugh High School but did not receive Division I scholarship offers initially. He began his college football career at Reedley College before transferring to the University of Wyoming, where he developed a reputation for a strong arm and dual-threat ability despite some early challenges and injuries. Allen was selected seventh overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2018 NFL Draft. Early in his career, he struggled with passing accuracy, ranking near the bottom of the league in completion percentage during his first two seasons. However, after dedicated offseason work with coaches and a personal quarterback coach, Allen dramatically improved his accuracy and overall play. His breakout season in 2020 saw him throw for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns with a 69.2% completion rate, the largest three-year improvement in NFL history for a quarterback. He led the Bills to their first AFC Championship Game since 1993 but fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs. By 2023, Allen had established himself as one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks, setting multiple franchise records and earning Pro Bowl selections. Known for his powerful arm and mobility, he holds records such as the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season and four consecutive seasons with over 40 total touchdowns. Despite regular season success and multiple playoff appearances, including dominant performances in wild card games, the Bills under Allen have yet to secure a Super Bowl appearance, facing repeated playoff losses to teams like the Chiefs. Off the field, Allen gained media attention early in his career due to controversial social media posts from high school for which he apologized. He remains a central figure in Buffalo's quest for NFL championship success and is widely regarded for his leadership and athleticism. As of late 2025, Allen continues to be a key player for the Bills, maintaining strong performance and fan support.
Davis Webb
Davis Matthew Webb, born January 22, 1995, is an American professional football coach and former quarterback currently serving as the offensive pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Denver Broncos of the NFL.[1][2][7] He transitioned to coaching after a playing career marked by college stardom and brief NFL appearances, joining the Broncos as quarterbacks coach in 2023 under head coach Sean Payton.[2][7] Webb began college football at Texas Tech in 2013 as a true freshman, throwing for over 400 yards in back-to-back games and setting a Big 12 freshman record with 462 yards against West Virginia.[3][4] An ankle injury and subsequent shoulder surgery sidelined him in 2014, after which he transferred to California, where he started all 12 games in 2016, passing for 4,295 yards, 37 touchdowns, and earning Senior Bowl MVP honors as the third Cal quarterback to do so.[2][3] Selected by the New York Giants in the third round (87th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, he signed a four-year, $3.53 million contract but saw limited action over seven seasons, primarily as a backup with the Giants and Buffalo Bills, totaling 168 passing yards in the regular season.[2][5][6] In his coaching tenure with Denver, Webb posted a 32-19 regular-season record (62.75% win rate) and 1-1 in playoffs through 2025: 8-9 in 2023, 10-7 with a playoff loss in 2024, and 14-3 with a playoff win in 2025 as pass game coordinator.[1] His promotion before the 2025 season followed John Morton's departure, building on prior interest from the Bills in his coaching potential.[2] As of 2025, Webb remains a key figure in Denver's offensive development.[1][7]
Nate Scheelhaase
Nate Scheelhaase is an American football coach currently serving as the pass game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL, a role he assumed in 2025 after joining the team as offensive assistant coach and pass game specialist in 2024.[1][7] A former standout quarterback at the University of Illinois from 2010 to 2013, he set school records for career total offense (10,634 yards), quarterback rushing yards (2,066), and completions per game (23.92), while ranking third all-time in passing yards (8,568) and fourth in passing touchdowns (55).[2][4][5][7][8] He earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2013, led the conference in total offense that year, and was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, also receiving the 2014 Big Ten Medal of Honor.[2][5] At Rockhurst High School, Scheelhaase won the 2008 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year award and set multiple records, including career offensive yards.[2][3] Undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, he transitioned to coaching, starting at Illinois in 2015 as assistant director of football operations before promotion to running backs coach amid staff changes.[3] He later served as an offensive analyst there under Lovie Smith.[2] In 2018, Scheelhaase joined Iowa State as running backs coach, advancing to wide receivers coach in 2019, adding running game coordinator duties in 2021, and becoming offensive coordinator in 2023.[2][3] Under his coordination, the Cyclones averaged over 26 points per game and developed talents like quarterback Rocco Becht and NFL running back Breece Hall.[4] His Rams tenure coincided with team records of 10-7 in 2024 (1-1 playoffs) and 11-5 in 2025, contributing to quarterback Matthew Stafford's strong performance.[1][4] This success has elevated his profile, positioning him as a head coaching candidate for teams like the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens.[2][4] Scheelhaase married his college sweetheart, Morgan Miller, in 2013; his father, Nate Creer, was a standout defensive back at Iowa.[2][3]
Grant Udinski
Grant Andrew Udinski (born January 12, 1996) is an American professional football coach and former college player, currently serving as the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.[1][2] Born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, he excelled at Central Bucks High School West, earning all-conference honors in football and lacrosse as a two-time all-conference player, while also captaining the Bucks County North All-Star team.[1][3] Udinski began college football at Davidson as a freshman tight end in 2014, recording one reception for 10 yards in 10 games.[1][3] He transferred to Towson University, switching to defensive end, where he played from 2017-2018, amassing 43 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and six quarterback hurries over two seasons, earning CoSIDA Academic All-American honors with a 3.94 GPA.[1][5] After graduating in 2018, Udinski launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Baylor in 2019 under Matt Rhule, aiding an 11-3 season and Big 12 Championship Game appearance despite initially living in his car.[1][4] He joined the NFL in 2020 as a coaching assistant with the Carolina Panthers for two seasons (5-12 and 5-11 records).[2][7] In 2022, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hired him as assistant to the head coach/special projects, praising his "unbelievable" football understanding.[1][4] Promotions followed: assistant quarterbacks coach/chief of special projects in 2023 (7-10 record), and assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024 (14-3 record), where he mentored QBs like Sam Darnold to a Pro Bowl season with 4,319 yards, 35 TDs, and a 102.5 rating.[2][4] Hired by the Jaguars on February 5, 2025, as offensive coordinator, Udinski led a 13-4 regular season and playoffs (0-1), guiding QB Trevor Lawrence to 4,007 yards and 29 TDs.[2][4][8] At 29 during his rise, he is viewed as a top young coaching talent.[8]
About the Organizations Mentioned
Buffalo Bills
## Buffalo Bills: Organization Overview The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football franchise based in Orchard Park, New York, and compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division[2][6]. Founded in 1959 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL), the team joined the NFL in 1970 following the AFL–NFL merger[1][4]. The organization is named after an earlier Buffalo football team from the All-America Football Conference and is the second NFL team to represent the city of Buffalo[1]. ## History and Key Achievements The Bills’ early years were marked by struggle, but the addition of quarterback Jack Kemp and running back Cookie Gilchrist in the early 1960s sparked a turnaround, culminating in back-to-back AFL championships in 1964 and 1965 under head coach Lou Saban[2][3]. Despite these early successes, the team endured long periods of mediocrity after joining the NFL, highlighted only by the record-setting performances of running back O.J. Simpson in the 1970s[1][3]. The franchise’s most notable period came in the early 1990s, when, led by head coach Marv Levy and a core of future Hall of Famers including Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, and Bruce Smith, the Bills became the only NFL team to appear in four consecutive Super Bowls (1990–1993). However, they lost all four, a record that remains unmatched[1][4][6]. The Bills have also won multiple AFC East division titles, most recently from 2020 to 2024, reflecting a resurgence under current leadership[5]. ## Current Status and Notable Aspects As of the start of the 2025 NFL season, the Bills’ all-time regular season record stands at 486–505–8[5]. The team plays its home games at
St. Michael Catholic High School
**St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School** is a private, faith-based institution in Fredericksburg, Virginia, dedicated to forming Christ-centered leaders through rigorous college-preparatory education infused with Catholic values.[2][3] Located at 6301 Campus Dr., it serves grades 9-12, emphasizing academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service in a nurturing environment.[2][4] Founded relatively recently, the school rapidly expanded: by 2017, it enrolled 192 freshmen through juniors; in 2018, as a full 9-12 program, it grew to 292 students; and by 2019, enrollment reached 321.[9] Today, it maintains a small, intimate community of about 70 students with an exceptional 5:1 student-teacher ratio, fostering personalized learning and a strong family atmosphere.[4] Tuition for the highest grade is $12,175, reflecting its commitment to accessible Catholic education.[4] The curriculum aligns with Virginia State Standards, integrates Catholic teachings—rooted in a "culture of life" from creation to natural death—and offers challenging options like Honors (4.5 grading scale), Dual Enrollment via Germanna Community College (up to 6 college credits, 5.0 scale for juniors/seniors with 3.0+ GPA), and Advanced Placement courses at college level.[2] Core subjects promote intellectual rigor, while extracurriculars build leadership, athletics, and service. Achievements shine in outcomes: 90% college acceptance rate, with alumni securing spots at top universities and scholarships, credited to the school's supportive faculty and Gospel-modeled environment.[4] Parent reviews rave about its "sense of family," competitiveness (82% agreement), creativity (91%), and athleticism (82%), calling it Virginia's "best kept secret."[4] Notable for prohibiting discrimination while upholding Catholic doctrine, St. Michael stands out in education by blending technology-advanced pre
Indianapolis Colts
## Overview The **Indianapolis Colts** are a professional American football franchise competing in the National Football League (NFL), where they play in the American Football Conference (AFC) South Division[1][5]. The organization’s primary activity is fielding a team that participates in the NFL’s regular season, playoffs, and, when successful, the Super Bowl. Beyond the field, the Colts operate as a major sports business, engaging in marketing, community outreach, and technological innovation—common among modern NFL franchises. ## History The Colts’ roots trace back to 1953, when the team was established in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Baltimore Colts[1][5]. The franchise originated from the remnants of the defunct Dallas Texans, with Carroll Rosenbloom as the principal owner[7]. The team quickly became a powerhouse, thanks to legendary players like Johnny Unitas, Jim Parker, Raymond Berry, and Lenny Moore, and Hall of Fame coach Weeb Ewbank[5][8]. The Colts won NFL championships in 1958, 1959, and 1968, with the 1958 title game—a dramatic overtime victory over the New York Giants—dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played” for its role in popularizing pro football[5][7][8]. Financial struggles and declining attendance led to the team’s controversial relocation to Indianapolis in 1984, where it was renamed the Indianapolis Colts[1][5]. The early years in Indianapolis were marked by inconsistency, but the franchise found stability under owner Jim Irsay, son of Robert Irsay, who acquired the team in 1997[1]. ## Key Achievements The Colts are one of only two NFL teams to win a Super Bowl in two different cities—Baltimore (Super Bowl V, 1971) and Indianapolis (Super Bowl XLI, 2007)[2][5]. They are also
