McBoog Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 And in a stunning move that will certainly bolster the impact of this transition, the Chargers hired Ron Rivera as linebackers coach. Rivera was the Chicago Bears' defensive coordinator the past three years and interviewed last week for the head coaching job with the Chargers. He agreed to a two-year contract Monday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Just LB or DC as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffraff Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 LB coach DC = Cotrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 (edited) I like Rivera as linebacker coach. With Rivera and Cottrell coaching the defense I don't see a huge drop off in the Bolts defense without Phillips. A.J.'s making some good coaching moves!!!! Edited February 20, 2007 by Chargerz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdrudge Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 (edited) Isn't a move from a DC to the LB coach somewhat of a demotion? I've always envisioned the chain of command to be somewhat like Head Coach -> Defensive Coordinator -> Defense Coach -> Position Coaches -> Assistant Position Coaches Edited February 20, 2007 by cdrudge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulOttCarruth Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Isn't a move from a DC to the LB coach somewhat of a demotion? I've always envisioned the chain of command to be somewhat like Head Coach -> Defensive Coordinator -> Defense Coach -> Position Coaches -> Assistant Position Coaches Depends on how much money they pay you, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Sounds as if Rivera wants to get more experience in the 3-4 as most analysts think this is the reason he was passed up in a lot of the jobs he interviewed for. Sounds smart on his part to go backwards and learn a bit more while also being able to provide his knowledge from a different perspective. I thought the hiring of Norv was not that great, but the two coaches they have added beside him sure have been much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Wow...guy interviews for nine head coaching jobs over the past two years, is unwanted by his own team and then signs on LB coach...something seems weird... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Wow...guy interviews for nine head coaching jobs over the past two years, is unwanted by his own team and then signs on LB coach...something seems weird... Agreed. Seems pretty strange. The nice thing for Rivera is that he is virtually guaranteed to be interviewed for every Head Coaching vacancy over the next couple of years. If he can work on being able to sell a vision to just one of those panels, he should find paydirt before too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Pimp Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Isn't a move from a DC to the LB coach somewhat of a demotion? I've always envisioned the chain of command to be somewhat like Head Coach -> Defensive Coordinator -> Defense Coach -> Position Coaches -> Assistant Position Coaches Well, it's not like he was a DC at the moment considering he actually was unemployed so taking LB coach really isn't a demotion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 First off - the demotion rule in the NFL (you cannot leave a team for a lesser title -which led to Asst HC, but I digress,) only applies if you are under contract, and River'as was set to expire today. He was, in effect, a free agent. This only confirms my hunch from the SB - this is Lovie's D to call, and Rivera is NOT a coach who won't blitz an entire game, much less played that way. I read that when Lovie was hired he wanted Marinelli from TB but they wouldn't let him go, thus Rivera was the solid 'plan b' but more the team's 'plan b' the Lovie's at the time. Also, keep in mind that Lovie IS looking to re-up and stay in Chicago. I see this as confirmation he wants that because Rivera, as an in-house 1985 Bear, would have proivded a potential distraction as a potential replacement if things go south and Lovie heads into this season lame duck. I doubt that will happen (but it might, the McCaskey's are so cheap), but this 'firing' is a bit of a political move seen in that lense. Personally, I'm happy for Rivera. Something tells me he's straight up enough to say he wasn't always running his own defenses in these interviews, and maybe owners wanted to see more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitzkek Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 A.J.'s making some good coaching moves!!!! Yea, Turner has 1 playoff win. That's better than 0 I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdrudge Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Well, it's not like he was a DC at the moment considering he actually was unemployed so taking LB coach really isn't a demotion.Well, I realize that. But if you were the vice president of a fortune 5 company but were laid off, would you go for an entry level supervisor position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Yea, Turner has 1 playoff win. That's better than 0 I guess. The theme in A.J.'s interview after hiring Norv was consistency. Norv installed the current offense the last time he was with the Bolts. He was the only candidate with prior HC experience plus A.J. knew his players would not have to learn a whole new playbook. When you think about it, his reasoning seems pretty solid. Now with Cottrell (whom he knew from Buffalo) and Rivera, A.J. has kept the 3-4 defense from last year and has hired two solid defensive minds. Not too shabby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Pimp Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Well, I realize that. But if you were the vice president of a fortune 5 company but were laid off, would you go for an entry level supervisor position? If it was the best available option to work right now and gain experience instead of sitting around not padding my resume, then I might. He has a better chance of getting back to DC or HC by working then by sitting at home practicing his interviewing abilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REZ Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Rivera was done in Chicago. Can't blame them for letting him go. Guy has interviewed for every job opening the last couple years it seems. They want to get a guy in there that will be around longer then a year or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muggsy Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Rivera will eventually get his shot at HC somewhere. The guy has been called for interviews too many times for there to not be some ideas of interest in his head, or for it just to be a way around the Rooney Rule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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