Deal looks to be done: Ron Rivera to become new head coach of the Carolina Panthers
Really, there was very little surprise and very little intrigue in this hiring. Rivera was the first man interviewed, the only man interviewed a second time and now it appears the deal is done.
We have been discussing the merits of hiring Rivera today, but we'll look again at the new Panthers head coach...
A second round pick in the 1984 draft Ron Rivera played linebacker for the Chicago Bears for nine seasons including their Superbowl XX win over the New England Patriots. When he retired in 1992 Rivera took a brief hiatus before re-entering the league in 1997 as a 'Defensive quality coach' for the aforementioned Bears.
Two years later Rivera worked under the legendary Jim Johnson in Philadelphia where he was the Eagles linebackers coach for four years, it was then Rivera was promoted again, this time returning to Chicago as defensive coordinator.
It's his time in Chicago at this period that is often misunderstood. While yes, Rivera was only in Chicago for three seasons the common thread is that he never should have been let go. He was a victim of Lovie Smith entering the organization and wanting 'his guys'. From the time Rivera left in 2006 to Chicago's first season without him the Bears free fell from 5th in the NFL in defense under Rivera to 28th in 2007.
It was at this time he went to San Diego first working with the Chargers as a linebackers coach in 2007. For the 2007 season the Chargers 3-4 under Wade Phillips were 14th in the NFL in 2007.
When Phillips left for Dallas to become their head coach it was Rivera's turn to run the show. 2008 was a tough year marred with injuries and transition, but despite the poor year defensively that left the Chargers ranked 25th he turned them around getting them back to 16th in 2009 and finally 1st in the NFL in 2010.
Ron Rivera's brand of defense does not necessarily dictate a certain scheme, as he has worked both under a 4-3 and 3-4 front. He's known as a 'players coach' who relates very well to defensive staffs and has run extremely aggressive systems known for exotic blitz packages and great run defense.
If I may op-ed for a moment: Carolina Panthers fans should be extremely optimistic with this hiring. From where I sit the Panthers have needed a man like Rivera for a while now, and its sure to make Monday mornings a little more interesting.
Provided they agree on a contract, which doesn't seem to be a problem the Carolina Panthers Rivera will become the fourth HC in franchise history.
TOTALLY UNEXPECTED: Ron Rivera is the New Carolina Panthers Head Coach
Carolina now calling other candidiates who interviewed that they are going another direction and mentioned how well ron did.
Well folks, that's a wrap on Ron Rivera's 2.5 year stint as a 3-4 Defensive Coordinator in San Diego. The press conference to name Rivera as the new Panthers' Head Coach will be sometime in the next 2-3 days. The only questions that remain is which offensive and defensive coaches he will (at least try to) take with him, who the Chargers will have as their DC next season and whether Ron will get caught in a terrible hurricane.I'm sorry, that was mean. Charlotte is probably a lovely place (their airport has some delicious BBQ!), and I shouldn't be bitter at all that Ron is leaving. It's a promotion! He has a chance to go off and prove himself. And, in the few times I've actually interacted with the man he genuinely seemed like one of the nicest guys you could ever want to meet.
Good luck, Mr. Rivera, except for in 2012 when your Carolina Panthers match up against the San Diego Chargers. Bad luck then, but outside of that one day.....I hope you succeed in building a powerhouse football team in Carolina.
The good news, as reported by The Silver Fox a few minutes ago, is that all of the Chargers coaching staff is under contract with the team (except for Steve Crosby) and can not leave with Ron unless the team lets them go.
Report: Chargers To Lose Ron Rivera
Shortly after Acee broke the news, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweeted the following:
AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
Panthers Exec on RR: “He’s coming in for 2nd int. Nothing done. Could it happen quickly? Yes. Could it not happen quickly or at all? Yes.”
If the news is true it would be a bit of a blow to the Chargers. Rivera is an excellent defensive coordinator and has interviewed with 9 teams for head coaching positions since 2006. He has been the front runner to land the Panthers job for a while so the Chargers were likely expecting this.
Rivera leaving the Chargers would mean all 4 AFC West teams will make some sort of major coaching move in the coming weeks. The Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos are looking for head coaches and the Chiefs will of course need an offensive coordinator.
Rivera also served as the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears from 2004-2006.
What do you think Addicts? Will the loss of Rivera harm the Chargers on the defensive side of the ball?
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