Ex-Panthers Coach Rivera Interviews for Cardinals HC Job

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Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has reportedly interviewed for the open head coaching position with the Arizona Cardinals. Rivera, who was the winningest coach in Panthers history, last coached in the NFL in 2023 with Washington. After a year as the general manager at his alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley, the 64-year-old Rivera is now seeking to return to the NFL coaching ranks.

Why it matters

Rivera is a respected NFL coach who led the Panthers to an NFC championship and three straight division titles during his near-decade tenure. His return to the sidelines would be a notable move, as the Cardinals look to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season and find the right leader to guide the franchise.

The details

According to reports, Rivera interviewed with the Cardinals regarding their current head coaching vacancy. The 64-year-old has not coached in the NFL since 2023, when he was the head coach of the then-Washington Football Team. Prior to that, Rivera spent nearly 9 seasons as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, where he compiled a strong record and won multiple Coach of the Year awards.

• Rivera was the Panthers head coach from 2011 to 2019.
• He was hired by Washington in 2020 and coached there through 2023.
• Rivera spent the 2024 season as the general manager at the University of California, Berkeley.

What’s next

The Cardinals will continue their search for a new head coach, with Rivera as a potential candidate. The team's decision on who to hire will be an important one as they look to turn things around.