CBS analyst Bill Cowher praises Panthers for patience with Ron Rivera

The Carolina Panthers have long tried to emulate the Pittsburgh Steelers – a pattern that extends to stability among their head coaches.

The Steelers have had three coaches since 1969 – Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin, who have combined for six Super Bowl wins.

Ron Rivera, Carolina’s fourth coach in 21 years, has the Panthers in position for their first Super Bowl title.

Cowher praised the Panthers for sticking with Rivera, who came under fire for a slow start in 2013 following losing seasons in his first two years.

“Hopefully it speaks volumes for organizations about patience,” Cowher said Monday. “You have the right kind of management that they have – I have so much respect for Jerry Richardson – it just speaks volumes. The state of the NFL, we’re so quick to change things that maybe patience does pay off.”

Cowher made it two Super Bowls, losing to the Cowboys in 1995 and beating the Seahawks in 2005. He had only three losing seasons in 15 years.

Cowher, a CBS analyst, has been a part of several Super Bowl anniversary games.

“I coached in (Super Bowl) 30 and lost. I coached in 40 and won,” Cowher said “I’m going to call this a win being here for 50.”

This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 7:47 PM with the headline "CBS analyst Bill Cowher praises Panthers for patience with Ron Rivera."