Panthers HC Ron Rivera Returning For 2019 Season

Update:

Mike Silver, citing a source familiar with the Panthers’ plans, reports that HC Ron Rivera has been told he’ll return for the 2019 season, as expected.

Jason La Canfora reports that after seriously considering the possibility of replacing HC Ron Rivera, Panthers owner David Tepper does not intend to fire Rivera after the season.

However, La Canfora says that Tepper wants to Rivera to make changes to his coaching staff during the offseason.

Rivera already took over defensive play-calling duties during the season, but La Canfora says that the overall composition of his staff has been a problem.

Depending on how talks go after the year and whether Rivera is open to making the kind of changes Tepper’s expected to ask of him, La Canfora says it’s at least possible this situation could deteriorate.

If the Panthers’ job were to be available, La Canfora believes it would be coveted by top candidates.

This fits with a report from Ian Rapoport, who mentioned last night that Rivera and GM Marty Hurney are believed to be safe in Carolina.

Rapoport added that there could still be some changes to their coaching staff with Steve Wilks being someone to watch if the Cardinals elect to fire him next week.

Rivera, 56, has spent the past eight years as the Panthers head coach and has led them to a record of 70-56-1 (55.5 percent), which includes four playoff appearances and a trip to the Super Bowl a few years ago.