Tag: Ron Rivera

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images

Back to school: Ron Rivera joins staff at alma mater Cal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ron Rivera, who took the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl a decade ago, said Wednesday he’s headed to the football staff at Cal, his alma mater.

The former coach of the Panthers and Washington Commanders, Rivera interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets this offseason but didn’t land any offers. But he seems content with his Plan B, and, after all, if six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick can work on the NCAA level, he can, too.

“Coach Belichick has made going back to school, cool,” Rivera posted to X about his new job. “Stay tuned I am coming home.”

ESPN reported that Rivera, 63, largely will help Cal head coach Justin Wilcox and the program in an administrative role. He’ll assist in overseeing the big picture of the program, including budget and coaching staff, per the report.

Rivera was an All-American linebacker at Cal after his senior season in 1983. That year, he set a school record with 26.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including 13 sacks. He had 337 tackles during his Golden Bears career.

He was inducted into the California Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.

This will be the first foray into college for Rivera, who posted a 102-103-2 record with the Panthers (2011-19) and Washington (2020-23).

He was fired by the Commanders following the 2023 season.

–Field Level Media

Apr 11, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Former NFL coach Ron Rivera looks on during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Jets interview Ron Rivera for head coach, Louis Riddick for GM

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets said Thursday that they completed interviews with Ron Rivera for their head coaching vacancy and Louis Riddick for their general manager job.

The Jets have gotten the hiring process underway after firing coach Robert Saleh in October and GM Joe Douglas the next month.

Rivera, 62, spent this season as an analyst for ESPN and Westwood One after serving as an NFL head coach for the previous 13 seasons. Rivera coached the Carolina Panthers from 2011-19 and the Washington Football Team/Commanders from 2020-23.

His record sat at 102-103-2 overall and 26-40-1 with the Commanders when he was fired following the 2023 season. Rivera guided the Panthers to a 15-1 season and a Super Bowl appearance in 2015.

Riddick, 55, has been with ESPN since 2013 and has interviewed for GM vacancies in recent years, most recently with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2021 season.

The former NFL defensive back (1992-96, 1998) worked as a scout and director of pro personnel for Washington from 2001-07, and as a scout and front office executive for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2008-13.

New York has already interviewed Thomas Dimitroff, Jon Robinson and Jim Nagy for the GM job.

The Jets (4-12) have Jeff Ulbrich as their interim head coach and Phil Savage as their general manager as they wrap a disappointing season. The new regime will have to decide whether to cut ties with Aaron Rodgers or move forward with the 41-year-old quarterback for a third season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (M) leaves the field after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Report: Jets to interview two-time head coach Ron Rivera

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets will interview former two-time head coach Ron Rivera this week for their vacancy, NFL Network reported Monday.

The Jets are set to begin searches to replace coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, both of whom the team fired during the season. The Jets are one of three teams — joining the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears — that fired their head coach in-season. More vacancies are expected after the Week 18 finale next week.

Rivera, 62, was fired by the Washington Commanders last January after a 4-13 season and a four-year mark of 26-40-1. Under Rivera, Washington made one playoff appearance, which came from winning the NFC East in 2020 with a 7-9 mark.

Rivera is 102-103-2 in 13 seasons as head coach of the Carolina Panthers (2011-19) and Commanders.

Former Jets head coach Rex Ryan said Monday he expects to interview with the club as well. Ryan, who went 46-50 in six seasons as Jets head coach from 2009-14, told ESPN New York radio that he has not had any conversations with the club, however.

Ryan, 62, also went 15-16 in two seasons as head coach of the Buffalo Bills (2015-16).

The Jets fell to 4-12 — 2-9 under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich — after a 40-14 loss to the Bills on Sunday. The Jets finish the season this week at home vs. the Miami Dolphins.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera stands on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Ron Rivera interviews with Rams for DC opening

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams interviewed former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera for their recently vacated defensive coordinator position over the weekend, CBS Sports reported Monday.

The Rams are interviewing to replace Raheem Morris, who was named head coach of the Atlanta Falcons last week. The Rams have also interviewed or have interviews set up with Brandon Staley, Aden Durde and Dennard Wilson. Staley served as the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2020.

Rivera also reportedly interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles last week before they landed on Vic Fangio.

Rivera, 62, last served as a DC on Norv Turner’s staff with the then-San Diego Chargers from 2008-10. The 2010 squad finished first in the NFL in total defense and second in scoring defense.

Rivera is 102-103-2 as a head coach with the Commanders (2020-23) and Carolina Panthers (2011-19). He also has been a defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears (2004-06) and has experience in Philadelphia as Andy Reid’s linebackers coach for five seasons from 1999-2003.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (L) shakes hands with Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni (R) during warmup prior to their game at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles interviewing Ron Rivera about DC opening

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles are interviewing former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera for their recently vacated defensive coordinator position, ESPN reported Monday.

The Eagles reportedly parted ways with defensive coordinator Sean Desai on Sunday.

Rivera, 62, last served as a DC on Norv Turner’s staff with the then-San Diego Chargers from 2008-10. The 2010 squad finished first in the NFL in total defense and second in scoring defense.

Rivera is 102-103-2 as a head coach with the Commanders (2020-23) and Carolina Panthers (2011-19). He also has been a defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears (2004-06) and has experience in Philadelphia as Andy Reid’s linebackers coach for five seasons from 1999-2003.

Desai, 40, was demoted by head coach Nick Sirianni after lopsided defeats to the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys in December, with Matt Patricia taking over the play-calling duties. The switch to Patricia didn’t help as the defense continued to struggle, particularly in the Eagles’ 32-9 wild-card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 15.

Desai, who took over in February when Jonathan Gannon left to become the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, oversaw a defensive unit that allowed 35 passing touchdowns (second in the NFL) and ranked 30th in red zone and third-down defense in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera looks on against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Ron Rivera wants to keep coaching

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said he wants to continue coaching in the NFL, even if it’s as an assistant coach.

Rivera, fired by new Commanders owner Josh Harris on Jan. 8, made the remarks in an interview with ESPN in his first public comments since his exit.

“I have several opportunities right now,” Rivera told ESPN. “I just want to make sure it’s the right one.”

Rivera, 62, went 26-40-1 in four seasons as head coach of the Commanders. Rivera is 102-103-2 in 13 seasons as head coach of the Carolina Panthers (2011-19) and Commanders.

“Sometimes you do have to take a step back,” Rivera said. “You take a step back, you learn and grow from it. It’s like I told other players, if you look at this year as a lost year, you’re (hurting) yourself.

“You should look at it as a year to learn and understand why things happen. This was probably the greatest learning experience I’ve had in a while this year.”

Rivera last served as defensive coordinator with the then-San Diego Chargers from 2008-10. He was also the DC in Chicago from 2004-06.

The Commanders are one step closer to finding a new head coach after naming Adam Peters general manager Monday.

Peters will join a coaching search committee guided by executives Bob Myers and Rick Spielman, both hired the day after the 2023 season ended, and limited partners Earvin “Magic” Johnson, David Blitzer and Mitch Rales.

All five have been involved in the interview process with coaching candidates, the Commanders said.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera stands on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders fire Ron Rivera after four seasons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Washington Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera on Monday and hired two prominent front-office executives — including a former NBA general manager — to lead the search process for a new coach.

Rivera is done after a 4-13 season and a four-year mark of 26-40-1, one playoff appearance, which came from winning the NFC East in 2020 with a 7-9 mark.

New Commanders owner Josh Harris waited until the day after Rivera’s 62nd birthday to make the move that was widely expected.

Further, Harris announced that he has hired former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman to assist with the search process for a new coach and head of football operations.

Myers, who led the Warriors to four NBA titles, stepped down in June and will take the lead role in identifying and coordinating interviews with candidates, ESPN reported Monday. Myers has a longstanding relationship with Harris, who also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.

“This is a crucial offseason for us, and we won’t shy away from the work needed to get back to a place where we can deliver a winning culture top to bottom,” Harris said in a statement shared with ESPN. “… I’ve known Bob a long time and watched him construct four championship teams and a highly successful organization in Golden State. … He is innovative, thoughtful, well-connected across sports and understands what it takes to solidify and sustain championship infrastructure. I think he’s going to be incredibly additive.”

Myers will also continue in his role as a studio and game analyst for ESPN.

ESPN reported that Commanders GM Martin Mayhew and executive VP of player personnel Marty Hurney will remain on staff through the process, with the new hires to determine their long-term futures.

Rivera is 102-103-2 in 13 seasons as head coach of the Carolina Panthers (2011-19) and Commanders.

Spielman was GM of the Vikings from 2012-21 and GM of the Dolphins in 2004. He has more than 30 years of front office experience.

–Field Level Media

Feb 23, 2023; Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Eric Bieniemy (M) poses with Washington Commanders general manager Martin Mayhew (L) and Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (R) after being introduced as the new Commanders offensive coordinator and assistant head coach during an introductory press conference at Commanders Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Ron Rivera on Eric Bieniemy comments: ‘I put my foot in my mouth’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera apologized Wednesday morning for his comments on the approach of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Rivera led off his opening statement to his press conference by noting that his comments a day earlier “took on a different life.” He also noted that he spoke directly to Bieniemy to clear the air.

“I basically told him I put my foot in my mouth,” Rivera said. “I think what I said wasn’t as clear as it needed to be. I think the understanding of it is just the fact that I think everybody’s making, in my opinion, a little bit more than needs to be made of this. Because again, the results are what you’re looking for on the field, and so far, the last couple days have been outstanding. I think Eric has done a great job of communicating his message now that guys have opened up, talked with him, he’s opened up to them. It’s been a great bit of growth the last couple of days that guys are starting to have the a-ha moments.”

The story took a different turn than Rivera intended on Tuesday when he said players were “a little concerned” about Bieniemy’s level of intensity in regard to his coaching style.

“As I’ve said many times since I’ve hired Eric, I love the overall message that he gave to the team his first day, and that was basically we’ve got to learn to be comfortable when we’re uncomfortable,” Rivera said. “And I think what’s happened is for those guys on that side of the ball, things are uncomfortable. There’s been a lot of change, and the entire way of doing things has changed on the offensive side. Change is hard, and I’ve always encouraged our players to have great dialogue and build relationships with our staff.”

Bieniemy, 53, spent five seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator and won two Super Bowls before coach Andy Reid allowed him to exit for a play-calling role with Rivera and the Commanders. Rivera and Reid are close friends.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2023; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (R) jokes with Commanders defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina (L) during warmup on day three of Commanders training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Ron Rivera: Commanders players ‘a little concerned’ by Eric Bieniemy’s intensity

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A new level of intensity from the new commander over the Washington offense has players “a little concerned,” according to Commanders head coach Ron Rivera.

Rather than discuss their questions with Bieniemy, a vocal and fiery leader hired away from the Kansas City Chiefs, players have taken their issues to Rivera early in training camp.

His advice?

“I said, ‘Hey, just go talk to him,’” Rivera recounted Tuesday. “‘Understand what he’s trying to get across to you.’”

Rivera said he doesn’t expect Bieniemy to tone down the level of intensity because he had success with his coaching style with championship results with the Chiefs.

“It’s not going to change because he believes in it,” Rivera said. “(Defensive coordinator) Jack (Del Rio) has his approach. Having been a head coach, I think Jack has a tendency to try to figure guys out a little bit more as opposed to, ‘Hey, this is it, this is the way it’s going to be.’ That type of stuff. Eric hasn’t had that experience yet.”

Bieniemy was a candidate for multiple head coaching positions in recent years but didn’t land of the NFL’s top 32 jobs.

Rivera said the other side of the equation with coach-player relationships is “young guys, they do struggle with certain things and a lot of it — is from where they’ve been.”

NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes described Bieniemy as “always on” and said he “sets the standard at the highest level” for players.

That doesn’t mean they were always in lockstep. Entering the halftime locker room of an eventual loss to the Indianapolis Colts last season, Mahomes and Bieniemy had an on-field shouting match that both dismissed as frustration.

Bieniemy spent five seasons with the Chiefs before coach Andy Reid allowed him to exit for a play-calling role with Rivera and the Commanders. Rivera and Reid are close friends.

“This is his now,” Reid said of why it made sense for Bieniemy to go to Washington. “He’s working for Ron Rivera, who’s a dear friend, and more of a defensive head coach than offensive head coach, so this allows EB to do his thing, and I’m happy for him.”

–Field Level Media

Jun 8, 2023; Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (L) talks with Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio (R) on day three of minicamp at OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park, held inside the training bubble due to poor air quality from Canadian wildfire smoke in Ashburn. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders call off final day of OTAs

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The Washington Commanders called off their final day of organized team activities (OTAs) scheduled for Tuesday, with head coach Ron Rivera and his coordinators happy with how the spring went for their club.

The Commanders instead will have meetings and a light workout Tuesday to conclude their offseason program. The team held a minicamp last week.

Washington will reconvene for training camp next month, when Sam Howell will make his bid to be the 2023 starting quarterback. Veteran Jacoby Brissett remains in the mix for QB1.

The Commanders finished last in the NFC East last season with an 8-8-1 record. They haven’t had a winning record since 2016 but did make the playoffs in 2020 with a 7-9 mark.

Jack Del Rio is the defensive coordinator and Eric Bieniemy is entering his first season as offensive coordinator.

–Field Level Media