Ron Rivera, Bears complete interview amid coaching search
UPDATE: The Bears completed the interview with Rivera Sunday, the team announced on X.
Ron Rivera, come on down!
The former Bears linebacker and Super Bowl XX Champion will interview for Chicago’s head coach vacancy, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
Rivera and the Bears have a long history as both a player and coach. He played his entire nine-year career with the Bears, making 56 starts. After retiring, he returned to the organization as the team’s defensive quality control coach from 1997-98.
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After a few years with the Philadelphia Eagles as their linebackers coach, Rivera returned to Chicago under Lovie Smith as the Bears defensive coordinator. During his tenure as DC, the Bears allowed only 16.4 PPG while forcing 107 turnovers — both second best in the NFL.
He led a stout Bears defense to the Super Bowl in 2006, one that allowed a league best 15.9 PPG.
Known as ‘Riverboat Ron’, Rivera has had plenty of success as a head coach in the NFL. Although he only boasts a record of 102-103 (.498 winning pct.), he has taken two different franchises to the postseason, including an appearance in Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers.
With a bevy of head coach experience and ties to the organization, Rivera’s interview shouldn’t come as a surprise. Bears GM Ryan Poles stated at his end of season press conference that, ‘We’re turning every stone to make sure we’re doing this the right way.’
Rivera will be one of of a long list of candidates so far to interview for the vacancy.