Back in December, we did a story on Buddy Ryan and the coaches he influenced. Ron Rivera was on that list, having been part of the Chicago Bears defense when they won Super Bowl XX. Yesterday, Rivera was named the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Just as Rivera came in to play middle linebacker after Mike Singletary left the field, he joins the rank of NFL head coaches, after Mike has, well, left the field, having been fired from his head coaching position with the San Francisco 49ers earlier in the season.
↵Rivera has been a successful defensive coordinator with the Bears and San Diego Chargers. He'll have his work cut out for him with the Panthers, who were a league worst 2-14 this season.
↵We wish Ron the best of luck against 30 of the Panthers 31 potential opponents in the future.