Ron Rivera Agrees to be Panthers Head Coach
The Carolina Panthers have come to terms with San Diego Chargers' defensive coordinator Ron Rivera on becoming the fourth head coach in the franchise's 16-year history, and the second Latino head coach in NFL history ESPN reports.
Rivera, has been a hot name in head coaching jobs since 2004, improved the San Diego defense to the top defense in the NFL in the 2010 season. He was the first candidate interviewed by Carolina along with Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, and 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky. Rivera was also the only candidate that picked up a second interview, and the only candidate that met with owner Jerry Richardson.
Rivera's name has came up frequently in coaching searches, and the interview with the Panthers was his ninth over the last two years. He replaces John Fox, the head coach of the past nine seasons, and Carolina has the #1 pick in the NFL Draft after going 2-14, their worst season since 2001, when they went 1-15.
Details of the contract are still to be worked out, but if the two sides come to final terms on the deal, the hire will be announced at a press conference at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte Tuesday at 5pm, Eastern time.
Follow Technorati