Carolina Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera Has Just Been Fired
- by Florence Jennings
- in Sport
- — Dec 5, 2019
After weeks of being on the hot seat, the Carolina Panthers chose to let Ron Rivera go leading up to NFL Week 14, showing just how rough this season has turned out for his former team.
Rivera has stood in front of the media and been a team spokesman for the franchise through good times and bad - through arrests and accolades, controversial signings and Coach of the Year awards, gut-wrenching losses and electrifying wins. "I think as much respect as I have for Ron, I think a change was appropriate to build things the way I want things to be built".
"We did a lot", he said.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - When he was hired in 2011, Ron Rivera told former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson that he wanted to be a head coach for only eight to 10 years. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner will transition to special assistant to the head coach, and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner will serve as offensive coordinator. He was 76-63-1 in the regular season and 3-4 in the postseason. In nine seasons, Rivera guided the team to a Super Bowl appearance, an NFC Championship and three NFC South titles.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has chose to officially put an end to his 2019 season.
Newton suffered a Lisfranc injury in the Panthers' third preseason game against the New England Patriots. The team has gone 5-5 in his absence and his shoulder injury previous year played a significant role in the team losing seven straight games after a 6-2 start.
Ron Rivera firing wasn't a huge surprise, although the timing might be. You shouldn't expect it, and fans shouldn't expect.
Rivera, 57, did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment from The Associated Press.
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Rivera said his biggest regret is not winning a Super Bowl, although the Panthers came close. "Our vision is to find the right mix of old-school discipline and toughness with modern and innovative processes".
Since defeat in Super Bowl 50, the Panthers have only reached the playoffs once, losing in the wildcard game two years ago.
Prior to becoming a coach, Rivera played nine seasons in the National Football League as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears after being drafted in 1984. BetOnline is giving 11-2 odds that Garrett will be on the Carolina sideline next season.
When Rivera came on, the Panthers had just gone 2-14 in 2010. Should the team decide to move on from him after this season, it would clear $19.1 million in cap space.
Fewell also said Kyle Allen will continue to start Sunday when the Panthers visit the Falcons.
Newton, 30, has one year left on his contract.
"If you have a settled quarterback situation, you're pretty doggone good", Rivera said.
"I'm going to be honest with you", Rivera said, "I'm kind of excited". "I've just gotta get right".