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Assessing the Redskins coaching options: Former Panthers HC Ron Rivera

By Jacob Camenker

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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LAKE FOREST, IL – APRIL 30: Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera of the Chicago Bears gives instructions to the defensive players during the Bears mini-camp workout on April 30, 2004 at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
LAKE FOREST, IL – APRIL 30: Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera of the Chicago Bears gives instructions to the defensive players during the Bears mini-camp workout on April 30, 2004 at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

About Ron Rivera’s career, coaching resume

Rivera got his start in the NFL as a player. He had a nine-year career with the Chicago Bears and played in 137 games at linebacker. He was a part of the legendary 1985 Bears defense and earned a Super Bowl ring as part of that squad.

After Rivera retired in 1992, he spent five years away from the NFL before returning to the Bears as a quality control assistant. From there, he was able to work his way up the ladder. He spent four years with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999-2003 before getting his first chance to serve as a defensive coordinator for the Bears in 2004.

Rivera would spend three seasons with the Bears, and his results with the team were nothing short of fantastic. After the team finished as a middle-of-the-pack unit in his first season, Rivera helped lead the Bears to consecutive top-five defensive finishes and was instrumental in helping get the 2006 team to the Super Bowl.

The Bears ultimately lost to the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts, but considering that they were a defensive-led team that was starting Rex Grossman at quarterback, it was an achievement to make it that far. And considering the fact that the Bears defense fell off a cliff under Bob Babich’s watch when the Bears didn’t renew Rivera’s contract, it’s easy to see why he deserves so much credit for the Super Bowl run.

Rivera’s contract wasn’t renewed by the Bears despite his success. The sides couldn’t agree to terms and Rivera was in the running for a couple of head coaching jobs, though he didn’t get them. In 2007, he served as the then-San Diego Chargers linebackers coach. From there, he was promoted to defensive coordinator and continued to work his magic.

Though Rivera’s first Chargers defensive unit wasn’t great, they made strides under him each and every year. In his final season with the squad, the Chargers defense ranked No. 1 overall in total yards allowed and 10th in scoring defense. That put him back on the map and convinced the Carolina Panthers to give him a shot as their next head coach.

And safe to say, that hire worked out for Carolina.

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