Ron Rivera

Coaching Record

Years Coached Record Win % Playoff record Playoff win %
27 231-198-2 53.83% 13-14 48.15%

Coaching Tree

Parents:

Andy Reid, Lovie Smith, Norv Turner, Dave Wannstedt

Children:

Rob Chudzinski, Sean McDermott, Steve Wilks

Biography

Table of Contents

Career Summary

Ron Rivera was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 1997 to 2023, finishing his career as the head coach of the Washington Commanders. Over his twenty-seven years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 231-202-2. During his career he was a head coach for thirteen seasons, first with the Carolina Panthers. He led the Panthers for nine seasons, compiling a record of 76-67-1. He was fired from the Panthers. His next head coaching stint was with the Washington Football Team from 2020 to 2023, as he led the team to a 26-40-1 record. He was fired from the Team on Monday, January 8, 2024. During his entire head coaching career, his two teams combined for a record of 102-107-2 across thirteen seasons including going 3-5-0 in the playoffs.

Career Awards

Rivera won the NFL's Coach of the Year award two times throughout his career, most recently in 2015 after guiding the Panthers to a 15-1-0 record and a berth in Super Bowl L. During his time as defensive coordinator and head coach he coached four players to award-winning seasons. As the head coach for the Panthers Cam Newton won AP Offensive Player of the Year, AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Most Valuable Player and Luke Kuechly won AP Defensive Player of the Year and AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. As the head coach for the Team Chase Young won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. As the defensive coordinator for the Bears Brian Urlacher won AP Defensive Player of the Year.

Ron Rivera Coaching Tree

Before he was a head coach, Rivera served as an assistant coach for Dave Wannstedt, Andy Reid, Lovie Smith, and Norv Turner. Five of these years were spent on Reid's coaching staff. During his time as head coach, three assistant coaches, (Rob Chudzinski, Sean McDermott, and Steve Wilks) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 91-69-0 in the regular season and 5-6 in the playoffs during their ten seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs.

Playing Career

Rivera played linebacker while at college.

Personal Information

Rivera was born on Sunday, August 22, 1948 in New York City, New York. He died on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at the age of 60. Rivera has three brothers. He married his wife,Stephanie, in 1984 and has two children, Christopher and Courtney. Stephanie was a former assistant coach for the WNBA's Washington Mystics. His nickname, "Riverboat Ron", was given to him during the 2013 season when he was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers took several risky decisions at the beginning of the season, giving rise to his gambling moniker. Before the 2020 season, he was diagnosed with cancer. It was discovered early and he underwent treatment during the beginning part of the season.

History

Year Position Record Playoff record
2023 Washington Commanders Head Coach 4-13-0 0-0
2022 Washington Commanders Head Coach 8-8-1 0-0
2021 Washington Football Team Head Coach 7-10-0 0-0
2020 Washington Football Team Head Coach 7-9-0 0-1
2019 Carolina Panthers Head Coach 5-7-0 0-0
2018 Carolina Panthers Head Coach 7-9-0 0-0
2017 Carolina Panthers Head Coach 11-5-0 0-1
2016 Carolina Panthers Head Coach 6-10-0 0-0
2015 Carolina Panthers Head Coach 15-1-0 2-1
2014 Carolina Panthers Head Coach 7-8-1 1-1
2013 Carolina Panthers Head Coach 12-4-0 0-1
2012 Carolina Panthers Head Coach 7-9-0 0-0
2011 Carolina Panthers Head Coach 6-10-0 0-0
2010 San Diego Chargers Defensive Coordinator 9-7-0 0-0
2009 San Diego Chargers Defensive Coordinator 13-3-0 0-1
2008 San Diego Chargers Interim Defensive Coordinator 5-3-0 1-1
2008 San Diego Chargers Inside Linebackers Coach 3-5-0 0-0
2007 San Diego Chargers Inside Linebackers Coach 11-5-0 2-1
2006 Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator 13-3-0 2-1
2005 Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator 11-5-0 0-1
2004 Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator 5-11-0 0-0
2003 Philadelphia Eagles Linebackers Coach 12-4-0 1-1
2002 Philadelphia Eagles Linebackers Coach 12-4-0 1-1
2001 Philadelphia Eagles Linebackers Coach 11-5-0 2-1
2000 Philadelphia Eagles Linebackers Coach 11-5-0 1-1
1999 Philadelphia Eagles Linebackers Coach 5-11-0 0-0
1998 Chicago Bears Defensive Quality Control Coach 4-12-0 0-0
1997 Chicago Bears Defensive Quality Control Coach 4-12-0 0-0

Coach history guide

Seasons with a championship win Seasons with a conference championship

Coach facts