Who is Ron Rivera?

Ron Rivera is a former American football coach and player. He is well known for his tenure as the head coach for the Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL).

Ron Rivera was born on January 7, 1962. He played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a consensus All-American linebacker. Rivera was then selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1984 NFL Draft. He played for the Bears as a linebacker for nine seasons, including their Super Bowl-winning team in 1985.

After retiring as a player, Ron Rivera began his coaching career. He held various coaching positions with several NFL teams before becoming the defensive coordinator for the Bears in 2004. In 2011, Rivera was hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

During his time with the Panthers, Rivera had a successful tenure, leading the team to multiple playoff appearances, including an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance in the 2015 season. Rivera is known for his defensive expertise and his leadership style, earning him the nickname "Riverboat Ron" for his aggressive coaching decisions.

In 2020, after being let go by the Panthers, Rivera was hired as the head coach of the Washington Football Team (now known as the Washington Commanders). He has been instrumental in turning around the team, leading them to the playoffs in his second season as head coach.

Ron Rivera's coaching career has been highly regarded, and he is respected for his ability to develop players and build strong teams.