Ron Rivera Selected as Panthers New Coach

''When you get into playing you strive for one thing, that's to
be a Super Bowl champion. When you get into coaching, you strive to be a Super
Bowl-winning head coach. That's what my goal is.''

On Tuesday January 11, 2011, Ron Rivera was named the fourth
head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

He is the second Latino to be an NFL head coach, the first being
former Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks coach Tom Flores.

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said Rivera’s background as a
player helped him get the job.  Richardson is the only owner that was also a
player in the NFL.

It took a while. Rivera interviewed for eight head coaching jobs
in six years. He said that experience helped when the Panthers
called.

''I'm excited for Ron,'' Chargers coach Norv Turner said. ''He
has aspired to be an NFL head coach and I expect him to do an outstanding
job.

Rivera was a linebacker on the 1985 Chicago Bears, who won Super
Bowl XX.

Rivera was the defensive coordinator for the 2006 Chicago Bears,
who won the National Football Conference championship and competed in Super Bowl
XLI.

He was the defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers,
with San Diego ranking tops in the NFL in total defense and pass defense this
season, prior to being named coach of the Panthers.

Rivera learned under coaches who favor aggressive defensive
philosophies, such as Buddy Ryan, Jim Johnson, and Lovie Smith. He used to
utilize the 4-3 defensive scheme, but adopted a 3-4 defense in San
Diego.

At his Carolina Panthers press conference, Rivera said he plans
to use the “attacking style”  4-3 defense to match the talent of the Panthers
along with elements of the 3-4 scheme.

Rivera will get help from G.M. Marty Hurney filling out his
staff.  Chargers tight end coach Rob Chudzinski and Marc Trestman have been
mentioned as possibilities for the offensive coordinator job.

In general, Rivera liked the Panthers roster.  He liked the
offensive line, running backs, wide receivers, and “tight end by
committee.”

He said he wanted to meet Steve Smith soon,  and he was
impressed by rookie wide receivers David Gettis and Brandon LaFell. 

Rivera said figuring out the quarterback situation is a top
priority.

Rivera sounded noncommittal about quarterback Jimmy Clausen.  

''Look forward to meeting him and getting to work,'' Clausen
wrote on Twitter.

It’s an understatement to say that Rivera has his work cut out. 
He was all nonsense, business like at his press conference.

Rivera inherits a 2-14 team that consistently showed
inexperience, questionable personnel decisions, and questionable talent.

It led to a sloppy end of Fox's nine-year run in which he
clashed with management over the team’s direction.

Morrison said Rivera received a four-year deal with no option
year. ESPN reported it's worth $11.2 million, far less than Fox's last deal that
paid him more than $6 million this season.

Rivera talked of playing an aggressive defense and making a
franchise that's never had consecutive winning seasons consistently
good.