5 things we’ll miss about Riverboat Ron Rivera
The writing was on the wall.
After a blowout 29-3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper sat down with a group of reporters to talk about how much he despises mediocrity.
And head coach Ron Rivera agreed. But now, after losing to the Saints and getting run all over by a Washington Redskins team that was 2-9 heading into the game, Rivera is out as the Panthers’ head coach. The only thing truly surprising about that is that it happened during the season and not after.
Tepper obviously wants a fresh face at head coach, and many fans do as well. There are clear business reasons behind his exit, and yet his departure is still sad to see. Rivera inherited the worst team in the league in 2011 and took that team to the Super Bowl five years later. He never fielded a Panthers team with back-to-back winning seasons, but under his watch the team did win their division three years in a row. And twice he was named the NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press.
But it’s a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, and Tepper has his eye toward the future. As a fan of the team, I get it. But here are five things I’m going to miss now that Ron Rivera’s gone:
(1) His community involvement
Whether bowling for Ronald McDonald House Charlotte, supporting the Humane Society of Charlotte or raising awareness of pancreatic cancer in honor of his late brother, Ron Rivera and his wife, Stephanie, have both made an impact far beyond the field. When it comes to charitable giving, Rivera has been more than generous during his time in Charlotte.
While his next position will likely take him outside of the Carolinas, let’s hope that he continues to support the city he’s called home for the last nine years.
(2) His passion for his players
During his post-game press conferences, Rivera had a way of being honest about player performance while also shouldering much of the blame himself. A true player’s coach, Rivera made it a point to support his players through challenges personal and professional.
One of the most memorable scenes from last season’s “All or Nothing,” the Amazon show that followed the 2018 Carolina Panthers, was when Rivera shared a very touching moment with Devin Funchess, who was mourning the death of his cousin. Rivera typically maintains a stoic presence on the sideline, but that scene showed a side of the coach the general public seldom got to witness. How many similar conversations were never caught on camera?
(3) His T-shirt game
Cam Newton makes headlines with his fashion choices, but Ron Rivera’s T-shirts have garnered plenty of attention over the years, too. Cam Newton kissing a pylon, Greg Olsen’s bid for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Thomas Davis returning from a four-game suspension — these were just a handful of the moments captured via Rivera’s custom shirts.
And it wasn’t just the franchise’s biggest names. Remember Shepard Clay, Bersin & Frazier? I’m going to miss seeing Rivera behind the podium, wearing a smirk and a one-off shirt.
(4) His defenses
Rivera was a linebacker on the ‘85 Bears, one of the most intimidating defenses to ever take the field. With that pedigree, it’s no surprise that he went on to coach some great defenses, as well. Players came and went, but during Rivera’s tenure, the Panthers more often than not fielded a competitive defense. That wasn’t true recently, sure, but earlier this season, the Panthers claimed one of the league’s best pass defenses, and the team currently leads the league in sacks.
For better or worse, Rivera himself took over play calling duties from defensive coordinator Eric Washington last season. There’s no doubt the Panthers have had some offensive playmakers during Rivera’s time, but when the offense wasn’t clicking, the Panthers could often count on the defense to keep them in games.
Tepper will likely be on the hunt for a more offensive-minded coach, but let’s hope the Panthers defense is able to continue playing at the same high level that Rivera has instilled in them.
(5) The Riverboat ride
Like John Fox before him, Ron Rivera often erred on the side of caution. No one expected the conservative coach to ever gain the moniker ”Riverboat Ron”, but after a streak of fourth-down gambles back in 2013, the nickname stuck (despite Rivera campaigning for the altogether more boring “Analytical Ron” nickname).
In the years since, Rivera often reverted back to his traditional, more conservative self — and without a healthy Cam Newton or a short-yardage bruiser like Mike Tolbert, it’s easy to see why. But he’ll always be Riverboat Ron in our hearts.
This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 10:13 AM.
