Commanders fire coach Ron Rivera as new ownership makes adjustments.
An organization that has only won two playoff games in the previous three decades is about to undergo a number of adjustments, this being the first of them. With eight straight losses, a 4-13 record, including a 38-10 home loss to division rival Dallas in front of a boisterous crowd of Cowboys supporters, Rivera’s fourth and final season came to an end.
Josh Harris, the controlling owner, stated during a press conference held at the team’s practice facility, “Clearly, we weren’t good enough this year.” “We’ve decided to take a different approach because we were unable to complete the task on the field.”
Nobody, not even the seasoned coach who went 26-40-1 with Washington—including one postseason appearance in 2020 after leading an unusually weak NFC East at 7-9 and never having a winning season—was surprised by Rivera’s dismissal.
Rivera will end the regular season exactly one game below.500 at 102-103-2 if he is not hired as the league’s next head coach.
In a team statement, Rivera stated, “We did win an NFC East title in 2020, but we fell short since then, and for that, I am truly disappointed.” “Though there is still much to be done, and it wasn’t easy, I think we started to meaningfully change this organization’s culture.”
Along with former NBA executive Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, co-owners Mitch Rales, Magic Johnson, and David Blitzer will collaborate with Harris in the search for a head of football personnel and coach. Ownership is now expected to divide those responsibilities after Dan Snyder hired Rivera four years ago to handle both roles. However, Harris stated he’d be flexible given the candidates available, which may include Jim Harbaugh of Michigan.
Less than six months after Harris and his partner owners purchased the team from Snyder, general manager Martin Mayhew, as well as most of the front office and coaching staff, are also anticipated to go. They continue to work for the time being as the Commanders go through a “rapid but thorough process,” according to Harris.
As a managing partner, this is undoubtedly one of my most significant responsibilities, Harris stated. “It’s critical that I handle this personally, do it correctly, and appoint the most qualified leadership to this position.”
Less than a month after the experienced coach was let go by the Carolina Panthers, whom he led to the Super Bowl in 2015, Rivera was hired by Snyder on New Year’s Day 2020. After a turbulent period under president Bruce Allen, which featured a great deal of off-field misbehavior for which Rivera was held accountable as the organization’s spokesperson, he was given command.
From two team name changes to the revelation of sexual harassment claims in the workplace before to Rivera’s arrival in the summer of 2020, turbulent times were the norm.Before the season began, Rivera received a skin cancer diagnosis. As he underwent treatment, the revered former linebacker served as an inspiration to the Washington team, which advanced to the postseason.
Running back Antonio Gibson remarked, “You’ll never forget being with somebody through a critical time in their life and seeing how he battled that.” “And he was still there for us throughout that process, so we’ll always have love for him.”
Away from football, Snyder became the focus of many investigations before selling the franchise last year to Harris’ group for a record $6.05 billion.
Harris, Rales, Johnson and others buying the franchise put the focus back on football, to Rivera’s joy. Early in the season, he reveled in a debate about the team’s long snapper as a turning moment after years of criticism about the sinking attendance, off-field upheaval and the ownership change.
Along the way, the play on the field went south after a 2-0 start: a 37-3 drubbing by Buffalo began a three-game skid completed by an embarrassing prime-time home loss to previously winless Chicago. The season snowballed to numerous new low points: a 31-19 defeat at the hands of undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants, a 45-10 thumping at Dallas and an embarrassing home loss to Miami that was ironically followed by fire alarms going off around the stadium.
It became evident the Commanders were playing out the string. They dropped their final eight games to end 4-13 and are set to choose second in the NFL draft, a spot they may receive a franchise quarterback.
Asked what he’s proudest of from his time in Washington, Rivera emphasized team culture and otherwise tried to tune out speculation about his uncertain future.
“To me it’s always been exciting, a thrill and an honor to be on the field in the NFL,” Rivera said last week. “There’s only 32 of these jobs, there’s only 32 of these teams and you always appreciate that opportunity.”
Players complimented his conduct throughout his final season, with receiver Terry McLaurin stating Rivera never had a nasty attitude and defensive tackle Daron Payne complimenting the coach’s positivity.
“Everybody in this building loves Ron Rivera as a person and all that,” left tackle Charles Leno said. “But when you’re the leader of a ship, somebody has to go down with it.”