Ron Rivera without a job

Bears | Rivera not renewed, team likely to promote Babich
Mon, 19 Feb 2007 1112 -0800

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Chicago Bears have opted not to renew the contract of defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, leaving one of the top defensive minds in the game without a job. The team wanted to pursue a long-term plan for the position due to Rivera's candidacy for numerous head coaching positions and head coach Lovie Smith felt the need to move in a different direction sooner rather than later. Smith will likely promote linebackers coach Bob Babich to the newly-vacated defensive coordinator position.

He won't be unemployed long

 

Fire Trgo.




















juss kiddin...i wanted to say it before dukey

 

seriously, though...who has an opening?

The two teams left without a DC are 3-4 teams.

 

heard on the radio he's going to San Diego as linebackers coach....talk about a demotion

 

Rivera joins the Chargers as linebackers coach

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera may have lost out to Norv Turner for the chance to be San Diego's head coach, but the Chargers got the best of all worlds.
Rivera accepted a job to be a linebackers coach hours after learning his contract would not be extended by the Bears. For the Chargers, general manager A.J. Smith and Turner, it was a major coup in trying to move closer to a championship run.
After what was considered an excellent interview for the head coaching job, Rivera told the Chargers and Turner he was willing to discuss a position on the staff. Turner hired Ted Cottrell as the defensive coordinator, but Rivera was an object of private discussions all day.
For Rivera, the idea of joining the Chargers was another way to improve his stock for a future head coaching job. Rivera was defensive coordinator of a Super Bowl team, but he was pigeonholed in some ways. He was considered a 4-3 defensive specialist and so many of the openings this year wanted coaches with 3-4 experience.
The Chargers liked the idea of bringing in Rivera to help improve their third-and-long package along with coaching the linebackers. Coming from a 4-3 scheme, Rivera can offer suggestions to improve the third-down pass rush. Most 3-4 teams go to a four-man line in third-and-long situations.
Plus, Rivera could enhance his resume this season by learning the 3-4. He's had eight interviews for head coaching jobs but has not been able to secure one. Getting the 3-4 experience might be the edge he needs to get a 2008 head coaching job in what is expected to be a wide-open market.
Rivera will work with John Pagano, a linebacker coach who is currently under contract and expected to stay. The Chargers like having two linebacker coaches. Earliers this month they lost linebacker coach Greg Manusky, who joined the San Francisco 49ers as the defensive coordinator.
In getting Rivera, the Chargers believe they put a cap on what was an important day in getting ready for the 2007 season.

Could he not have held out just a little longer for a DC job somewhere?

 

All the jobs are filled. He'll get a DC job next year. Coaching those LBs they have there can't be bad for the resume. But yes, has to be disappointing for him.

 

Wow, that's weird. SD is actually starting to make out pretty good from this. I do believe they'll miss Marty's leadership quality (let's face it, Norv has never been a 'leader of men') but Turner will keep that offense rolling, and Cottrell fits their personnel on defense.

 

The Charger LB's don't exactly suck, do they? Rivera could make them pretty damn ugly...in a good way.

 

bad move, Chicago.

 

Chicago is dumb.