Another name has emerged as a possibility in the Las Vegas Raiders‘ head coaching search.
NFL insider Albert Breer reported that the Raiders are interviewing former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera for its head coaching vacancy on Friday.
Rivera served as the Panthers’ head coach from 2011-19, compiling a 76-63-1 regular-season mark with the franchise. During his watch, the Panthers won three NFC South titles, made the playoffs four times and he was Coach of the Year twice.
Rivera’s best season with Carolina came during the 2015 season when he paired with quarterback Cam Newton for a 15-1 mark in the regular season to earn the NFC’s No. 1 seed and an eventual march to Super Bowl 50. The Panthers fell in that Super Bowl to the Denver Broncos, 24-10.
Newton won the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award after passing for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions during the 2015 campaign. The Auburn alum also rushed for 636 yards and 10 more scores that season.
After being fired by the Panthers with four games left in the 2019 season, Rivera resurfaced as the Washington Commanders’ head coach entering the 2020 season.
Rivera’s tenure at Washington didn’t include the same amount of success as his run in Carolina. Though Washington did capture the NFC East title with a 7-9 record in his first season at the helm, the Commanders were never able to produce a winning record in any of his four seasons in Washington.
Rivera posted a 26-40-1 record in his four seasons at Washington.
Rivera does have familiarity with the AFC West. Prior to taking over in Carolina as the head coach, the 63-year-old coach served as the Chargers’ linebackers coach in 2007 and as its defensive coordinator from 2008-10.
The Raiders have held interviews with Detroit Lions offensive and defensive coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken, former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and former Seattle head coach Pete Carroll.
To see all the latest news in our Raiders head coach interview tracker.