(WASHINGTON, DC – January 9, 2024) – Ron Rivera, finishing off his fourth season as head coach for the Washington Commanders, has been terminated from his position less than a day after a 38-10 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. His coaching record of 26-40-1 (.396 winning percentage) includes back-to-back last-place finishes in the tough NFC East division, although the team won the division in his first year as coach where he suffered serious health concerns due to cancer. Rivera won Coach of the Year twice during his years with the Carolina Panthers and even went to the Super Bowl in 2015.
While many fans on Twitter expressed relief at the end of his tenure, others expressed pride and appreciation in him for coaching the team during rough stretches, including back-to-back last-place finishes in the NFC East division.
A search committee including business mogul and NBA superstar Magic Johnson and former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers will begin the hunt for a new coach.
“To deliver upon our ultimate goal of becoming an elite franchise and consistently competing for the Super Bowl, there is a lot to do and first we must establish a strong organizational infrastructure led by the industry’s best and most talented individuals,” team owner Josh Harris said in a statement. “As such, we will conduct a thorough search process to ensure we find the right candidates to guide this franchise forward. I consider these decisions to be among the most critical I make for the franchise — attracting exceptional talent, empowering them to lead, and holding them accountable. I look forward to being personally involved throughout this process.”