Ron Rivera

Ronald Eugene Rivera (born January 7, 1962), nicknamed Riverboat Ron, is an American football head coach for the Washington Football Team of the National Football League (NFL). Prior to becoming a coach, Rivera attended the University of California, Berkeley in the early 1980s, where he played college football for the Golden Bears and was recognized as an All-American linebacker. Following graduation, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1984 NFL Draft and was a part of their 1985 team that won Super Bowl XX. He spent nine years playing for them and retired after the 1992 season.

This article is about the American football player and coach. For the public health activist, see Ron Rivera (public health).

Ron Rivera
Rivera in 2020
Washington Football Team
Position:Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1962-01-07) January 7, 1962
Fort Ord, California
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:Seaside (Seaside, California)
College:California
NFL Draft:1984 / Round: 2 / Pick: 44
Career history
As player:
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
As player
As coach
Career NFL statistics
Quarterback sacks:7.5
Interceptions:9
Fumble recoveries:6
Touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com
Head coaching record
Regular season:83–72–1 (.535)
Postseason:3–5 (.375)
Career:85–77–1 (.525)
Player stats at PFR
Coaching stats at PFR

Rivera's coaching career began in 1997 when he served as a quality control coach for the Bears. He then joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a linebackers coach two years later before rejoining the Bears to become their defensive coordinator in 2004. Under him, the Bears made an appearance in Super Bowl XLI. In 2007, he joined the San Diego Chargers as a linebackers coach before serving as their defensive coordinator for the next three seasons.

In 2011, Rivera became the head coach for the Carolina Panthers. With them, he was recognized as the NFL Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2015 and led the team to an appearance in Super Bowl 50. Despite being their all-time leader in coaching wins, Rivera was fired midway through the 2019 season due to new ownership wanting change. He then became the head coach of the Washington Football Team in 2020. That same year he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, but underwent treatment and was considered cancer free by early 2021. He is the only coach in NFL history to have led two teams with a losing record to the playoffs, doing so with the Carolina Panthers in 2014 and Washington Football Team in 2020.

Early years

Ronald Eugene Rivera was born in Fort Ord, California on January 7, 1962.[1][2] His father, Eugenio Rivera, was a Puerto Rican commissioned officer in the U.S. Army stationed in California. There Eugenio met his future wife, Dolores, who is of Mexican descent.[3] The family moved often due to his father's military service, with Rivera being educated in military bases in Germany, Panama, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.[2][4] The family eventually settled in Marina, California, where he attended and played football at Seaside High School before graduating in 1980.[5]

Career

Cal Golden Bears (NCAA)

Rivera was granted a football scholarship at the University of California, Berkeley, leading the Golden Bears in tackles as a linebacker during his three years there. For his final season in 1983, Rivera received several awards and honors for his performance, including being named a consensus All-American, Pac-10 Football Defensive Player of the Year along with Arizona linebacker Ricky Hunley, the Pop Warner Trophy, and being named MVP of the East–West Shrine Game.[6][7] Rivera finished his career as the school's all-time leader at the time in sacks with 22 and tackles with 336.[8] He also once held the school's single-season record for sacks with 13 and tackles for loss with 26.5.[8]

Chicago Bears (NFL)

Rivera was selected in the second round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, playing for them as a rotational linebacker and special teamer. In 1985, Rivera became the first American of Puerto Rican descent to win a Super Bowl, as the Bears defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. He was named the team's Man of the Year in 1988, and was named their Ed Block Courage Award recipient the following year.[8] He played nine seasons for them before retiring after the 1992 season, playing in 149 games with 62 starts, 392 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 9 interceptions.[8][9]

Coaching

In 1993, Rivera went to work for WGN-TV and SportsChannel Chicago as a television analyst covering the Bears and college football. In 1997, he joined the Bears as a defensive quality control coach.[10][11]

Philadelphia Eagles

In 1999, Rivera was named linebackers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles under newly hired head coach Andy Reid.[10] During his tenure, the Eagles advanced to the NFC championship for three consecutive seasons. He also was credited with developing linebacker Jeremiah Trotter into a two-time Pro Bowler.[12]

Chicago Bears

Rivera was named defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears on January 23, 2004.[10] In 2005, the Bears defense was rated second in the league by total yardage, with the team winning the NFC North division with a record of 11-5 before losing in the divisional round of the playoffs to the Carolina Panthers. For his efforts that year, Rivera was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association.[13] In 2006, the Bears had the league's third-ranked defense in terms of points allowed, which helped them advance to Super Bowl XLI. Although the Bears lost to the Indianapolis Colts 29–17,[14] the defense's success earned Rivera recognition among franchises looking for new head coaches. In February 2007, it was announced that Rivera's contract with the Bears would not be extended due to failed negotiations.[15] Around the same time, he interviewed for several vacant head coaching positions around the league, including with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.[16][17][18]

San Diego Chargers

Rivera was hired by the San Diego Chargers to become their inside linebackers coach in February 2007.[19] In October 2008, Rivera was promoted to defensive coordinator after the team fired Ted Cottrell.[20]

Carolina Panthers
Rivera as Panthers head coach, 2016

On January 11, 2011, Rivera was hired to become the fourth head coach of the Carolina Panthers. He was the third Latino in NFL history to become a head coach, following Tom Fears and Tom Flores.[21] During his first year, the Panthers went 6–10 and finished third in the division.[21] In 2012, the Panthers finished 7–9 and finished second in the division. Over his first two years with the Panthers, Rivera was known for his conservative decision-making, with journalists noting his record of 2–14 record in games decided by less than a touchdown. Following an 1–3 start to the 2013 season, reports suggested that the Panthers were already contemplating getting a new head coach. As a result, Rivera began to make more aggressive decisions.[22] The Panthers then went 11–1 to finish the season, including a then-franchise record eight-game winning streak, to win the NFC South division and make the playoffs for the first time since 2008. For his efforts, Rivera was honored as the 2013 AP NFL Coach of the Year.[23]

In 2014, the Panthers recovered from a 3–8–1 start to win its final four regular-season games and clinch the NFC South for the second consecutive year. The Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27–16 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game for the team's first playoff win since 2005 before falling to the eventual NFC champion Seattle Seahawks the following week. The team's momentum would continue in 2015, as the Panthers produced their best season in franchise history by finishing 15–1, with their only loss being versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. Rivera was recognized as the 2015 AP NFL Coach of the Year, his second such honor.[24] The team held the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs, where they defeated the Seahawks in the divisional round and the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game,[25] advancing to Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos.[26] It was the first Super Bowl in which both head coaches, Rivera and the Broncos' Gary Kubiak, had previously played in a Super Bowl. The Panthers lost the Super Bowl to the Broncos 24–10, in a game which both sides's defenses dominated.[27]

Rivera signed a two-year contract extension worth US$15.5 million in January 2018.[28] After a 5–7 start to the 2019 season, Rivera was fired on December 3, 2019 after nine seasons as head coach.[29] Owner David Tepper, who bought the team in 2018, made the decision to move on from him as he wanted to build his own approach for the team.[30] Rivera finished his career with the Panthers with four playoff appearances and a total record of 79–67–1, both of which rank first all-time in team history.[31][32]

Washington Football Team
Rivera as Washington head coach, 2020

On January 1, 2020, Rivera was hired to become the 30th head coach of the Washington Football Team, known as the Redskins at his time of hiring.[33][34] At his introductory press conference, Rivera stated that he was convinced that the team was the right fit for him after having meetings with Washington owner Daniel Snyder and former head coach Joe Gibbs, which started almost immediately after he was fired from the Panthers.[35][36] Rivera hired several former assistant coaches that worked under him with the Panthers,[37] assigning Scott Turner, the son of Norv Turner, as offensive coordinator and former Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio as defensive coordinator.[38][39] Rivera was also granted considerable authority over roster personnel, with him acting as the team's de facto general manager until the team hired Martin Mayhew for the role in 2021.[40]

His first season with the team was met with a number of challenges, including implementing a new culture, assisting the process of changing the team's name, dealing with a vastly altered season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment for it during the season.[41] Rivera released quarterback Dwayne Haskins in December after on-field struggles and off-field controversies throughout the year.[42][43] Despite all that, he led the team to a NFC East title with a record of 7–9, mirroring his 2014 Panthers team that also won the division with a losing record.[44]

Head coaching record
TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
CAR2011 6100.3753rd in NFC South————
CAR2012 790.4382nd in NFC South————
CAR2013 1240.7501st in NFC South01.000Lost to San Francisco 49ers in NFC Divisional Game
CAR2014 781.4691st in NFC South11.500Lost to Seattle Seahawks in NFC Divisional Game
CAR2015 1510.9381st in NFC South21.667Lost to Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50
CAR2016 6100.3754th in NFC South————
CAR2017 1150.6882nd in NFC South01.000Lost to New Orleans Saints in NFC Wild Card Game
CAR2018 790.4383rd in NFC South————
CAR2019 570.417Fired————
CAR total76631.54634.429
WAS2020 790.4381st in NFC East01.000Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFC Wild Card Game
WAS total790.43801.000
Total83721.53535.375

Personal life and family
Rivera and his wife Stephanie at his introductory press conference as Washington head coach, 2020

Rivera is Catholic and has three brothers: Steven, Michael, and John.[4][45] He is married to Stephanie (née Tamayo), whom he met while at Cal in August 1983 before marrying her in 1984.[10][46] Stephanie, a Filipino American, was a point guard for the Golden Bears women's basketball team in the early 1980s and later served as a coach for the sport, most notably as an assistant for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA in 2000.[47][48] The couple have two children together, Christopher and Courtney.[49] Courtney played for the UCLA Bruins softball team in the early 2010s and has worked as a social media producer under Rivera for both Carolina and Washington.[50][51]

Rivera's idol while growing up was Puerto Rican baseball player Roberto Clemente, who died in a plane crash while en route to deliver aid to victims of the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake.[4] Rivera was inducted into the California Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.[7] On January 5, 2015, Rivera's home in Charlotte, North Carolina caught fire and was partially damaged, but he and his family escaped without injury.[52] Rivera held a charity yard sale there after his hiring as Washington head coach in 2020, with various Panthers apparel and merchandise up for sale that raised more than US$30,000 for the humane society of Charlotte.[53]

Rivera's nickname of "Riverboat Ron" was given to him by fans and the media after he took several risky decisions, something previously not attributed to him, during the early part of the 2013 season with the Panthers.[54][55] The name was inspired after 19th century frontier gamblers, with Rivera later embracing it for use on his social media profiles.[56] He was also known as "Chico" during his playing time with the Chicago Bears, a common practice that the team had under head coach Mike Ditka.[57] He received the nickname from defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, who reminded him of actor Freddie Prinze from the television series Chico and the Man.[58]

In August 2020, Rivera was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma located in a lymph node of his neck.[59] Although his brother Michael died from pancreatic cancer in July 2015,[60] Rivera's diagnosis was discovered in its early stage and considered curable, with him undergoing a seven-week treatment regimen that included 35 proton therapy and three cycles of chemotherapy.[61][62] Although he missed no games and only a total of three practices,[63] he lost over 30 pounds and had to receive intravenous therapy during halftime of some games to relieve fatigue.[64][65] A campaign known as "Rivera Strong" was organized by the team to support him.[66] He was considered cancer free by late January 2021.[63]

References
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