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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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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 06: Tim Settle #97 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Jonathan Allen #93 after a sack against the New England Patriots during the first half at FedExField on October 6, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 06: Tim Settle #97 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Jonathan Allen #93 after a sack against the New England Patriots during the first half at FedExField on October 6, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

How Rivera would fit in with the Redskins

There are a few things that Ron Rivera is and Jay Gruden isn’t.

The first is that Rivera is a motivator. Over the course of the years, the Panthers have always played hard in big games. They knew what was at stake and it felt like they were always competitive and trying hard under Rivera. That was almost never the case for Gruden.

The second is that Rivera is aggressive. While the Redskins would rarely push the envelope with Gruden — or Bill Callahan, for that matter — as the play-caller, Rivera’s teams would. He earned a reputation for taking risks, hence his nickname, Riverboat Ron.

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But the fact of the matter is that Rivera’s risks were usually calculated and often were successful because he believed they would work. And even if they didn’t, his defense would be ready for the sudden change.

Those are two aspects that definitely would help the Redskins right away on the field. They’d have some energy and they wouldn’t be so… predictable. The team always felt predictable during Gruden’s tenure, so having someone who is willing to take chances and innovate is good news.

Beyond that, Rivera can absolutely work with the Redskins defensive talent and figure out the best way to use them. Greg Manusky’s system worked a bit during his first season but in each year, the unit has regressed despite acquiring more talent. Rivera will be able to simplify things on that side of the ball and really make use of the team’s excellent defensive line.

Rivera’s ability to fill out a staff will absolutely be important, but he has ties to some quality defensive coordinators. Steve Wilks was considered an up-and-comer under Rivera two years ago, but after a failed stint as the Arizona Cardinals head coach and after falling victim to Freddie Kitchen’s staff in Cleveland, he may be willing to rebuild his stock working under his mentor.

Of course, the offensive coordinator hire would get attention as well, but the point is that Rivera is well-connected (he did work under Andy Reid in Philadelphia, after all) and he is well-liked and respected. That will give him a chance to bring in some quality candidates that can really work with, develop, and improve the talent that the Redskins have on their team.

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