After four seasons, Ron Rivera was sacked as the Washington Commanders’ coach.
In the wake of the team’s 4-13 campaign—Ron Rivera’s fourth managing Washington—the Washington Commanders sacked Rivera as head coach on Monday.
Despite having high hopes going into the 2023 season, Washington dropped its last eight games.
After Josh Harris, the new major owner, took over the organization for the first time, Rivera was fired. Throughout his four seasons at Washington, the coach never recorded a winning record, going 26-40-1 overall. In 2020, Rivera’s first season, the Commanders, nicknamed the “Football Team” at the time, finished 7-9 and won the NFC East.
In a statement, Harris stated, “Ron helped navigate this organization through some challenging times.” “He is a good man and thoughtful leader who has positively contributed to this organization and the NFL.”
Rivera praised Harris, the team’s supporters, players, and coaching staff in a message that was shared on the team’s Twitter account.
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“As for Washington, it wasn’t easy and there is a lot more to be done, but I believe we began to change the culture of this organization in meaningful ways,” Rivera stated. “And on a personal note, it has been one of the greatest honors of my career to serve this franchise and those who cheer it on every week.”
Despite starting 2-0 this season, Rivera’s club only managed two victories the rest of the way, despite his admission prior to the season that he required a strong campaign to convince ownership he should remain in the position.
Last week, Rivera told reporters, “I think the thing that has really been bothering me the most is that we didn’t live up to the expectations that we had or that I personally had.” “To me, that was probably the biggest disappointment out of all of them because we really felt like we had enough good players in certain situations to win a few more games and there were some opportunities and things that we missed.”
The search committee for a new head coach and the director of the football operations department will be led, according to Harris, by his ownership partners Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, David Blitzer, and new executive additions Bob Myers (previously of the Golden State Warriors) and Rick Spielman.
“In my experience, championship infrastructure begins with a strong ownership group that prioritizes culture and invests in attracting the industry’s most talented and innovative leaders,” Myers stated in a statement. “In speaking with Josh and his team, it’s clear they will do everything it takes to build out a world-class organization – one that can win on the field and make a positive mark in the DMV community.”
Dan Snyder, the company’s previous owner, recruited Rivera while it was the subject of several inquiries about workplace culture and other irregularities. After a league investigation confirmed allegations of sexual harassment, Snyder was required to pay a $60 million fine when he sold the club, according to an investigator hired by the league.
“I managed for roughly three and a half years while I was here,” Rivera stated last week. “I’ve coached for maybe the past five weeks. It was exciting to return and resume my role as defensive coordinator.”
Head coach of defense Mariano Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio had a difficult time organizing a defense in 2023 that was especially prone to giving up big plays. In terms of yards given up (388.9) and scoring defense (30.5 points allowed per game), the Commanders had the worst record at the end of the season. For the past eight games, Washington has given up at least 27 points per game. Washington traded away both of its star defensive ends, Chase Young (to the San Francisco 49ers) and Montez Sweat (to the Chicago Bears), during the trade deadline on October 31. Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer were dismissed by Rivera after the team lost to the Cowboys 45-10 on Thanksgiving Day.
Throughout his tenure, the quarterback position frequently changed, which caused the coach some concern. Taylor Heinicke started in the wild-card game against the eventual champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers that postseason, replacing Alex Smith, who began in 2020 and won Comeback Player of the Year due to a calf injury. When free agency Ryan Fitzpatrick was hurt in the first half of the team’s first game the following season, Heinicke took over once more. Carson Wentz, the team’s next free agency acquisition, was benched in favor of Heinicke in 2022.
Recently, Rivera, 62, attempted to link the progress of current quarterback Sam Howell, a fifth-round pick in 2022, to his job security. Howell led the league in throwing yards and completions, but he also exhibited signs of worry with a league-high 21 interceptions and 65 sacks taken.
When Rivera assumed the Commander’s position in 2020, he also experienced personal difficulties. That summer, he received a squamous cell cancer diagnosis, but he still made great efforts to attend practices and games.
Rivera stated last week, “I’d like to think we’re in a better place, probably a fair way to say it.” “I most certainly do appreciate my time here.”
Rivera, a 1986 Bears Super Bowl player and nine-year NFL linebacker, began teaching in
