If the Panthers lose should Ron Rivera return?

[TheRumGone]

Make no bones about it. We are lucky as hell to be able to play in a game like this Sunday

[updownsigma]

RR will definitely be back regardless of the outcome of the game. I'm now honestly worried Shula will be back since the offense has improved the past few weeks.

I don't want either back though. It's become extremely obvious that RR makes terrible in game decisions, is overly conservative, and the preparation/adjustments on game day are also awful. Did I mention he's bad at evaluating talent? I also think this season it's become clear he's not very involved in the game planning/coaching for the offense/ST, and he leaves that almost entirely up to his coordinators. Ironically we actually probably don't need a great defensive minded HC because McDermott is a pretty solid DC (though I'm aware if Ron goes he goes too), while Shula is a poo OC.

Ultimately after 4 years I think it's extremely unlikely he'll change any of the habits listed above if given more time.

[Servant of Cthululelei]

I'm really on the fence about this.  I definitely want Shula gone, no matter what.  Unless we run the playoffs and win the superbowl with some amazing offensive performances.  But Rivera is another story.  Do I think there are other coaches out there that could have done better with what we had on the team this year?  Absolutely.  Do I think there are coaches that will be available this offseason that could make the Panthers a better and more consistent team in the future?  Probably.  But there's no guarantee the one we get would be one of them.  The next guy could be significantly worse than Rivera.

 

So I guess the real question is, based on Rivera's body of work so far in 4 seasons, do I think he has the ability to turn our team into a consistent winner and occasionally a real superbowl contender?  That's what I'm on the fence about.  He made some seriously good decisions last year and had our defense operating at a championship level.  I think with less conservative OC to help balance out his overly conservative tendencies...maybe yes?  So I think he should probably stay.

[pantherclaw]

I'm certain Rivera isn't going anywhere.

Dispite our feelings that we could do better, he really hasn't done anything to deserve to be fired.

I don't know that Gettleman feels that he should use Shula as a scapegoat for injuries, mistakes, and poor execution by players.

[SpeedOFLight]

I just don't trust whether we win or lose. He is terrible at game management. Time outs are used at the wrong times. He does not seem to make good in game adjustments etc. he does a good job with the defense but we have to do something about this "playing not to lose mentality ". He doesn't have that aggressiveness that's needed. With that being sad, I have no clue what's going to happens

[Lumps]

I think you may be the only person with this combination of opinions. Almost every Panther fan has come to expect the organization to be far too patient with coaches, so much so that we seem doomed to accept mediocrity. I'm pretty sure everyone else thinks either that he SHOULD be let go but he won't, or that he SHOULDN'T and he won't.

I can see how that response what confusing, but it was meant as a direct answer to the title of the thread...no he shouldn't be retained (return) but he will be.

I've been a fan of this team long enough to know this is a very slow reacting organization.

[mav1234]

I'm not sure he should return - I think a strong case can be made that he should, actually - but he definitely will.

 

However, I really hope he gets rid of Shula...

[DeeJay]

Gettlemen would fire him and bring in his coaching staff....if he could

Rivera will be back in 2015 probably

[Lumps]

The only way I'd want Rivera back is if he wins at least one post season game.

Shula needs to go regardless of what happens. The games we have won this year seem to be because the team overcomes the bad play calling...it shouldn't feel like that.

[Mr. Scot]

I think you may be the only person with this combination of opinions. Almost every Panther fan has come to expect the organization to be far too patient with coaches, so much so that we seem doomed to accept mediocrity. I'm pretty sure everyone else thinks either that he SHOULD be let go but he won't, or that he SHOULDN'T and he won't.

Actually, if you look at history, they haven't really been patient with anyone but John Fox, and that could easily be attributed to Marty Hurney.

Outside of Fox, no head coach has lasted more than four years with the Panthers. And it's worth remembering that Fox had a Super Bowl appearance in just his second year.

[Cyberjag]

Based on stats and NFL history, Rivera is probably never going to be a wildly successful coach.  But he's going to be OUR coach for at least one more year, so suck it up and cheer for the team anyway.

[PantherFanOne]

There will be some changes in the coaching staff for 2015 but i believe both Rivera and Shula will be retained. I feel both Rivera and Shula could have done a better job this year but Gettleman and JR both realize the tean we started the season with was lacking talent, compared to a lot of the other  NFL teams.

[PhillyB]

if he wins a playoff game he's a lock to return

[Cyberjag]

Actually, if you look at history, they haven't really been patient with anyone but John Fox, and that could easily be attributed to Marty Hurney.

Outside of Fox, no head coach has lasted more than four years with the Panthers. And it's worth remembering that Fox had a Super Bowl appearance in just his second year.

 

From 2002-2008, the Fox/Hurney combo had a 63-49 record, with three playoff appearances.  That was a better record over that span than all but four teams, the Broncos, Patriots, Steelers, and Colts.  That type of performance kind of buys you some longevity.