Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
GLENDALE – It appears to be a foregone conclusion that the Arizona Cardinals are likely to hire Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to be their next head coach. However, a surprising name of a former head coach has been revealed to have interviewed for the job.
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Senior NFL insider for the Athletic Dianna Russini reported on Tuesday that Arizona has interviewed former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera for its head coaching position.
Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera stands on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Rivera and Cardinals meet for head coaching interview:
“This flew under the radar! The Arizona Cardinals interviewed former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera in person for their head coaching vacancy, per source. Rivera currently serves as the general manager for Cal football.”
Nov 29, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears general manager Ron Rivera during the third quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Rivera has been an NFL head coach for 13 years over his nearly three decade long coaching career. His first opportunity was with the Carolina Panthers in 2011, where he inherited a 2-14 team. The former NFL coach of the year took only three years to go 12-4 and make the playoffs, and another two years to make the franchise’s second ever Super Bowl at 15-1.
In the Panthers 30-year career in the NFL, they have made the playoffs nine time, and Rivera was the coach for four of their instances in a five-year span. After back-to-back disappointing seasons, Carolina fired Rivera in Week 13 of the 2019 season. He wouldn’t be jobless for long, as the Washington Commanders hired him the following offseason.
Sep 27, 2025; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; California Golden Bears general manager Ron Rivera talks to a member of the Boston College Eagles staff before a game at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
His time in Washington was far less successful. In four seasons, Rivera made the playoffs once and failed to record a record above .500. After a 4-13 2023 season, Rivera was fired and replaced by current head coach Dan Quinn, who inherited quarterback Jayden Daniels that same offseason and led to Washington make the NFC championship in 2024.
The Cardinals don’t usually hire former head coaches, with the last instances being 2004 with Dennis Green. However, Rivera is a well-respected person in the football world, and at 64 years old might be content with being the general manager at California, making a difference with young players.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
