Dec 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera talks into his headset during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The head coach carousel got off to a fast start this offseason. Seven different head coaches lost their jobs on Monday, but Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera won’t be one of them. Charlie Dayton, spokesman for the Carolina Panthers, said that owner Jerry Richardson and Ron Rivera met Saturday morning to discuss next season.
‘He’s going about normal preparations for next season,” Dayton said.
Jerry Richardson had put Rivera on notice earlier in the season after firing the general manager after a 1-4 start. Rivera led the Panthers to a 6-4 record after that. Tha 7-9 finish was good enough for a second place finish in their division.
Rivera has had a mediocre start to his time in Carolina but he does bring championship pedigree to the organization having won a Superbowl in 1985 as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears. And a former Chicago Bear was one player to applaud the decision to bring Rivera back.
”I’m very happy he’s back,” tight end Greg Olsen told The Associated Press. ”Obviously the season wasn’t what we were looking for, but I think the way we finished showed that we’re heading in the right direction.
”The guys have a lot of faith in coach Rivera and guys didn’t want to let him down. I think the way we finished, winning four straight, shows a lot about the direction we’re headed and our faith in him as our coach moving forward. I’m glad that things worked out.”
While staff members were under a gag order, other players chimed in on the decision to bring Rivera back for a third season.
”That’s awesome news,” offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner said. ”I’m excited about it. I think Ron has done a great job and I think he will be the first to admit he’s learned a lot since he was hired. He definitely has the respect of the guys in the locker room because he’s played the game and he treats guys the right way.”
And the Associated Press is also reporting that the Carolina Panthers are looking extensively at several members of the New York Giants’ staff for a replacement GM:
“Richardson hired former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi to serve as a consultant for the GM search and the team has already received permission to interview two members of the New York Giants staff – college scouting director Marc Ross and senior pro personnel analyst Dave Gettleman – and others are expected to meet with him as well. Interim general manager Brandon Beane is also expected to get an interview.”