All signs continue to point towards Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera becoming the next Panthers head coach. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune says an announcement is expected on Tuesday.
This doesn’t come as a surprise. SI’s Peter King first reported Rivera was returning for a second interview, and Jay Glazer of FOX reports that the Panthers have started to call other candidates to tell them they didn’t get the job. Steve Reed of the Gaston Gazette says Rivera is “closing in” on the gig.
It’s not a hire that seems to have the Panthers fanbase excited, mostly because Rivera reminds them of John Fox in 2002. The fans want help on offense.
Rivera is a great example of how coaching stock can fluctuate over the years. Rivera was a hot coaching candidate in 2006-2007, but got a reputation as a bad interviewer. (Carolina was his ninth head coaching interview.)
The Bears surprisingly didn’t retain him for the 2007 season and Rivera had to rebuild his value as a linebackers coach in San Diego before taking the Chargers coordinator job after Ted Cottrell was let go.
A few solid seasons later, Rivera was a popular coaching candidate again. It looks like he’s taken advantage of the opportunity.