To fire Ron Rivera at this point of the season would serve no real purpose, other than to throw the Carolina Panthers into chaos and embarrass a good man.
Rivera believes that he will at least be allowed to coach the 2-8 Panthers' final six games, and if so, that's the right call.
The calls for Rivera's head grow among the fan base, which is understandable. Carolina is 8-18 in his two-year tenure and 1-11 in games decided by seven or fewer points. The Panthers blew an 11-point lead in the final six minutes to lose at home against Tampa Bay. They have mastered the art of coming from ahead to lose.
An unofficial poll on The Observer's website asked whether Rivera would still be the coach on Monday night after the Panthers' latest loss. Out of nearly 4,800 votes by 6 p.m., 54 percent said "No."
Rivera still was the coach as of Monday night, though. And while I can't say I would give him a vote of confidence to be the coach in 2013, he deserves to coach the rest of the 2012 season. Jerry Richardson has never fired a coach midseason, and there's no need to start doing that right now.
“I’m not concerned about me, I’m really not. I’m concerned about them,” Rivera said. “We have a group of coaches that I believe in 100 percent. I’ll be all right. No matter what happens I’ll be OK. Whether I’m here next year or not, I will be A-OK.
“I will go forward, I will make things happen whether it’s here or somewhere else. I will. I believe in who I am and I firmly do believe in my abilities as a coach."
Rivera doesn't have very long left to prove himself. Richardson, 76, has shown he is impatient for a turnaround by already firing general manager Marty Hurney in the middle of the season. Rivera may well be next, and he probably should be next unless the Panthers perform some miraculous turnaround. But he deserves to coach these final six games first.
We're moving!
9 years ago
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15 comments:
Gee Scott, what a brave proclamation. Just who exactly do you think on the Panther's staff could take the reins?Chud? Pffft. McDermott? Brian friggin Shula? the interim Special Teams Coach?
The only reason Ron (who is a nice guy, btw) still has a job is because his Coaching staff is even more incompetent than he is.
I think people need to look hard at Jerry Richardson .....he is clearly a owner that doesn't want to win.....defiantly not a Jerry jones .
Might as well keep him to insure a high draft pick.
The Panthers will win against Philly, KC, and Oakland, maybe San Diego. I hope they win at San Diego so that Norv will get the axe, too. If the team finishes with 5-6 wins, what then?
Mike I disagree about Jerry Richardson not wanting to win. The man is a winner and a class act all the way. He tries to make decisions that are good for players, the fans, and the organization. It's a tough business, and he has my vote of confidence.
Mike,
the Panthers have won quadruple as many playoff games as the Cowboys the last 20 yrs
I like Rivera, as a person, and believe as well that he is a good man. But he is paid a lot of money to produce and that isn't happening. JR was willing to pull the trigger with Hurney in the middle of the season and if parting ways with Rivera now would better the Panthers chances of bringing in a quality coach then he should make that decision as well. This season is lost, as far as playoffs, and we need to start building for next year.
I am not sure how anyone can claim Jerry Richardson doesn't want to win? Jerry Richardson's job is to write the checks. The Panthers are one of the highest paid teams in the league. Therefore, Jerry Richardson has done his part. The problem he had was his loyalty to Marty Hurney. Hurney is the guy that ran this franchise into the ground by over-paying players like Jake Delhomme after his 6 turnover performance in the playoffs, letting Peppers walk without compensation, trading 1st round picks for duds like Otah & Everette Brown. Trading a 2nd round pick for Armanti Edwards. Over-paying DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart when the staff won't use them.
He should have been fired Monday morning and promote Asst to head coach. After season bring in the new GM and he brings in Reid or someone of that ilk. Send the message, play to win or you're gone. Thank God the Bobcats are looking like a team from Charlotte that wants to win every game. It's refreshing...
Mike,
Defiant or definite? If JR is defiantly not a Jerry Jones, I'm ok with that. If he is definitely not Jerry Jones, even better. Whether he is being defiant or just isn't definite, I'm proud he doesn't act like JJ.
Jerry Richardson doesn't care 1 bit about us fans.
Mike,
Thank GOOOOOD he's not a Jerry Jones!!!! There is absolutely no reason to fire Rivera before the end of the year. Like someone else said, who would take over? Chud would just run the read option every single down. I can't really say anything bad about McDermott, except his passiveness at the end of games, because the defense has actually been the bright spot this year. Who would've thunk it?! Rivera won't be let go until the new GM is hired and it will be his call. Just my little old opinion. Hoping for 3-1/2 quarters of competitive football, so we can hold onto a top 5 pick!
talk about coaching to lose, on a 4th and 1, we coach to not lose 3rd time in a row.
read this glowing endorsement of ron rivera
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8651590/arizona-confusing-quarterback-situation-rest-week-11-news
Hey Scott, I thought I was the problem with the Panthers?
Sincerely, John Fox
It's a shame that Rivera couldn't bring the same intensity to the sideline as he did as a player. Why can't they just play aggressively the whole game? Take some chances. Play to win! Not Play not to lose!
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