"Rivera embraces big chance", by Brad Briggs

[pantherfan81]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you have lingering doubt about what happened when Ron Rivera left the Bears organization four years ago, the new coach of the Panthers wants to put it to rest.

It was business.

That's exactly what it was last month when Rivera offered Bob Babich a job as linebackers coach after Babich's contract with the Bears had run out. The man who replaced Rivera as Bears defensive coordinator after Super Bowl XLI was quickly a top candidate to join forces with Rivera.

"I have always felt Bob was one of the better coaches," Rivera said. "I've had the chance to watch guys work and my mind always goes back to how detail-oriented Bob is and how well prepared his players always are."

Babich ultimately re-signed with the Bears, but Rivera's job offer is proof Rivera is shooting straight when he says there never were hard feelings in a business that doesn't leave much room for them.

Fact is, Rivera's contract had expired after the 2006 season and Smith was intent on promoting Babich into a role he had wanted his longtime friend to fill all along. Chances were decent, too, that Rivera was going to leave for another franchise as a head coach.

The season after Rivera's departure, the Bears opened in San Diego, where he had landed as inside linebackers coach for the Chargers. In the week leading up to the game, Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm ripped Rex Grossman, comments that some assumed echoed Rivera's feelings. Olin Kreutz lashed out at Rivera and said he had spent time looking for jobs during the postseason. The words stung Rivera at his core. He didn't interview for another head coaching job in season again.

"I am thrilled for Coach Ron," Kreutz said. "He deserves it. I talked to him after that and we both understood. I know he will do a good job."

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Couple pages long, check it out.

[davos]

The more I read these type of articles, the more I absolutely love Rivera as our coach. Beyond all of this nonsense QB talk, I'm pumped!!

[Jackofalltrades]

Good read.

[jbland]

Nice read but nothing I haven't read already. Thanks for the find.

[ladypanther]

Until he finds a home, he's staying in a hotel.

WTF??

I like Rivera. I believe he can build a winner.

[SorthNarolina]

Henning lived in a hotel his entire stay here lol.

I doubt Rivera finds a home until his daughter finishes high school.

[OneBadassCat]

I gotta feeling we're going to see a much meaner Panthers team under Rivera. We're gonna whoop some ass!

[CatMan72]

Good read, thanks for posting that.

I was especially interested in the part about spending concerns when Peppers left, apparently Rivera feels confident that we will spend when the time is right... that's good to hear.

[RWatson43]

Good read for sure. Another reason to be pumped about the new staff.

[Ricky Spanish]

great article. I loves me some Rivera. I see him doing great things for this organization.

[pantherfan81]

Whoever hasn't read this, needs to. Good stuff.

[Mr. Scot]

Brad Biggs is a very good writer, and that's a great story.

A lot of cool items in that. The part about Payton helping him get the job, the computer thing with his son, the parts about his interview, and the fact that he's right now working 14 hours a day just to get everything in place.

How can you not like this guy?

[JungleCat]

Good article.

[HeelsPayTheBills]

Thanks for posting. I am so happy to have Rivera.