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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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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 16: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter during the preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 16: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter during the preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Should the Redskins hire Rivera?

The answer to this question is yes. If Ron Rivera wants to work for the ‘Skins and be their next head coach, the team should hire him. They’d be hard-pressed to find a better coaching candidate on the market this offseason.

And given that many teams will be looking for new leaders this offseason, landing Rivera this early in the process would be a huge win for Washington.

Yes, there are some questions that need to be answered. First and foremost, Redskins fans are going to want to know who is in charge. As Julie Donaldson of NBC Sports Washington reported, Bruce Allen is “out” of football operations, and Rivera knows that. But the big question will be, is he actually out of the building, or is he just reassigned? Fans won’t be happy unless he’s gone entirely.

That said, Donaldson also reported that Rivera would have “total control and final say on [the] draft”.

Essentially, the Redskins would give Rivera a chance to build the team the way he wants to and let him evaluate the scouting staff. If he works well with Doug Williams, Eric Schaffer, and Kyle Smith, then those three could see promotions, with Schaffer seemingly being the potential favorite in the ‘Skins front office right now.

If things don’t go as smoothly, the Redskins and Rivera could figure out another way to run the front office. So, it’s a risk, but it could potentially pay off.

And beyond that question, there will be some others. Most notably: Would the Redskins try to make Rivera keep Kevin O’Connell around, or would they give him full control of his own staff? And would Rivera be more willing to embrace analytics fully if that’s a direction that the ‘Skins front office wants to go in?

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We’ll see what happens on Monday. But if Rivera truly wants to come to Washington, this could end up being an excellent fit. He could be able to get the results on the field that people expect of the Redskins. And at the very least, the team would earn some respect for being able to hire one of the best, most-proven coaching candidates available this offseason.

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