Career Timeline of Ron Rivera: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ron Rivera made an impact.

Ron Rivera is a former NFL linebacker and coach, now the general manager for the California Golden Bears. He played nine seasons for the Chicago Bears, winning Super Bowl XX in 1985. He coached the Carolina Panthers and the Washington Football Team/Commanders, twice earning NFL Coach of the Year honors while with Carolina. His career encompasses achievements as both a player and coach in professional football.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1983: All-American Honors

In 1983, Ron Rivera earned consensus All-American honors while playing college football for the Golden Bears.

1984: NFL Draft Selection

In 1984, Ron Rivera was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the NFL draft.

1984: Drafted by Chicago Bears

In 1984, Ron Rivera was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, where he played as a rotational linebacker and special teamer.

1985: Super Bowl XX win

In 1985, Ron Rivera became the first American of Puerto Rican descent to win a Super Bowl, as the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

1992: Retirement from Playing Career

After nine seasons, Ron Rivera retired from his playing career in 1992. He recorded 392 tackles, 7.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and nine interceptions in 137 games and 62 starts.

1993: Television Analyst Role

In 1993, Ron Rivera began working for WGN-TV and SportsChannel Chicago as a television analyst, covering the Bears and college football.

1997: Bears Defensive Quality Control Coach

In 1997, Ron Rivera began his coaching career as the defensive quality control coach for the Chicago Bears.

1999: Eagles Linebackers Coach

In 1999, Ron Rivera was named linebackers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles under head coach Andy Reid.

2000: Stephanie Rivera coaches in WNBA

In 2000, Stephanie Rivera served as an assistant coach for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA.

January 23, 2004: Defensive Coordinator for Chicago Bears

On January 23, 2004, Ron Rivera was named defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears.

2004: Bears Defensive Coordinator

In 2004, Ron Rivera rejoined the Chicago Bears as their defensive coordinator.

2005: Assistant Coach of the Year

In 2005, as defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera helped the Bears achieve the second-best defense in the league, win the NFC North, and he was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association.

2005: First Playoff Win Since 2005

In 2014, the Carolina Panthers had their first Playoff win since 2005.

2006: Super Bowl XLI Appearance

In 2006, the Chicago Bears, with Ron Rivera as defensive coordinator, had the league's third-ranked defense and advanced to Super Bowl XLI, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts.

February 2007: Hired as Chargers Inside Linebackers Coach

In February 2007, Ron Rivera was hired by the San Diego Chargers to be their inside linebackers coach.

February 2007: Departure from Bears and Head Coaching Interviews

In February 2007, Ron Rivera's contract with the Chicago Bears was not extended due to failed negotiations, and he interviewed for head coaching positions with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.

2007: Joins San Diego Chargers

In 2007, Ron Rivera joined the San Diego Chargers as their linebackers coach.

October 2008: Promotion to Defensive Coordinator

In October 2008, Ron Rivera was promoted to defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers after the team fired Ted Cottrell.

2008: Playoffs for the First Time since 2008

In 2013, Ron Rivera led the Carolina Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

January 11, 2011: Hired as Panthers Head Coach

On January 11, 2011, Ron Rivera was hired as the fourth head coach of the Carolina Panthers, becoming the third Latino in NFL history to hold such a position.

2012: Panthers Finished 7-9

In 2012, the Carolina Panthers finished the season with a 7-9 record, securing second place in the NFC South under Ron Rivera's leadership.

2013: AP NFL Coach of the Year

In 2013, Ron Rivera led the Panthers to win the NFC South with a 12-4 record, earning him the AP NFL Coach of the Year award. He also acquired the nickname "Riverboat Ron".

2014: Led Carolina Panthers to Playoffs with Losing Record

In 2014, Ron Rivera led the Carolina Panthers to the playoffs with a losing record.

2014: Second Consecutive NFC South Title

In 2014, despite a slow start, Ron Rivera coached the Carolina Panthers to win their final four regular-season games, clinching the NFC South title for the second consecutive year.

2015: Second NFL Coach of the Year Award

In 2015, Ron Rivera led the Carolina Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl 50 appearance, earning him his second AP NFL Coach of the Year award.

2016: Panthers Missed Playoffs

In 2016, Ron Rivera's Carolina Panthers struggled, finishing 6-10 and missing the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

2017: Playoff Appearance and Wild Card Loss

In 2017, Ron Rivera coached the Carolina Panthers to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance, but they lost in the Wild Card Round to the New Orleans Saints.

January 2018: Two-Year Contract Extension

In January 2018, Ron Rivera signed a two-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers worth US$15.5 million.

2018: Panthers Missed Playoffs

In 2018, Ron Rivera's Carolina Panthers missed the playoffs despite starting with a 6-2 record and finishing 7-9.

December 3, 2019: Fired by the Carolina Panthers

On December 3, 2019, Ron Rivera was fired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers after nine seasons.

2019: Fired by Carolina Panthers

In 2019, Ron Rivera was fired as head coach of the Carolina Panthers near the end of the season.

January 1, 2020: Hired as Washington Football Team Head Coach

On January 1, 2020, Ron Rivera was hired as the 30th head coach of the Washington Football Team (then known as the Redskins).

2020: Hired by Washington and Cancer Diagnosis

In 2020, Ron Rivera became the head coach of the Washington Football Team and was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma.

2020: Charity Yard Sale

In 2020, Ron Rivera held a charity yard sale in Charlotte, North Carolina after being hired as Washington head coach, raising over US$30,000 for the humane society of Charlotte.

2020: Nephew Hired as Coach

In 2020, Ron Rivera's nephew, Vincent, was hired as a defensive quality control coach under him in Washington.

April 2021: Charity Donation

In April 2021, Ron Rivera donated $100,000 to Rich Eisen's Run Rich Run charity event for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

2021: Fitzpatrick Injury

In 2021, Ryan Fitzpatrick was injured in the first game of the regular season, which resulted in Taylor Heinicke being the starter for the rest of the season.

2021: Martin Mayhew Hired

In 2021, the Washington Football Team hired Martin Mayhew for the role of general manager. Ron Rivera retained the final say in football matters.

April 2022: Joins Washington Speakers Bureau

In April 2022, Ron Rivera joined the Washington Speakers Bureau as a speaker.

2022: Wentz Trade and Heinicke Return

In 2022, Carson Wentz was traded to the Washington Commanders, but following Week 6, Taylor Heinicke became the starting quarterback again due to Wentz being placed on injured reserve.

2023: Fired by Washington Commanders

After the 2023 season, Ron Rivera was fired by the Washington Commanders.

2023: Rivera's 2023 Season

In 2023, Ron Rivera replaced Scott Turner with Eric Bieniemy, naming him assistant head coach. He announced Sam Howell as the starting quarterback. He became interim defensive coordinator after Jack Del Rio's firing following a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Commanders missed the playoffs.