Panthers hire Ron Rivera; second Hispanic head coach in NFL history

[Auggie]

NFL.com Wire Reports / 1-11-11

After eight failed interviews, Ron Rivera finally received his first shot as an NFL head coach -- with the woeful Carolina Panthers.

Just don't expect a wild celebration despite the windy, bumpy road to get there and the significance of being just the second Latino to be handed control of an NFL team.

SNIP

It's the first head-coaching job for the 49-year-old Rivera, a son of a U.S. Army officer who is of Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage. He joins former Raiders and Seahawks boss Tom Flores as the only Hispanic head coaches.

"I'm very proud of the fact that I am of Hispanic descent," Rivera said. "I'm very honored to have this opportunity."

MORE: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81d9d583/article/panthers-turn-to-chargers-dc-rivera-as-their-next-coach?module=HP_headlines

Good luck, coach :thumbsup:

[trotsky]

1. Well that's unexpected.

I thought for sure Cowher would return to the NFL and coach them, since he's from the Carolina area.

[madinmaryland]

2. From what I have read, the Panthers were looking to go low budget, which

Cowher would definitely not have been.

[trotsky]

3. That would certainly explain it.

Rivera's name has floated around for years as a HC - glad to see he is finally getting his chance. Certainly has nowhere to go but up with the Panthers. :)

[taterguy]

4. Low budget = Hispanic to you?

:wtf:

[trotsky]

5. Clearly he didn't mean that.

Shame on you for insinuating.

Everyone knows that if Cowher returns to coaching, he will command a LOT of money. Virtually anyone else - especially a longterm coordinator, first-time head coach is going to be cheaper. mad was simply responding to my comment that I thought they would go with Cowher. He said nothing about Rivera.

[taterguy]

6. Mad was simply perpetuating the stereotype that Hispanics will work cheaper than Caucasians

Shame on your for being an apologist for his latent bigotry.

[trotsky]

8. What bullshit.

Cowher is a Super Bowl winning coach with a proven track record. Tony Dungy, should he return to coaching, would ALSO command millions.

Rivera is a first time head coach.

Race has NOTHING to do with this - it's YOU who are making race an issue, and are now lashing out at others with wild, crazy accusations.

A new low, even for the Sports forum.

[taterguy]

9. Denial. It's not a river in Egypt

[trotsky]

10. And a douche ain't just the thing sitting unused in your mom's bathroom cabinet.

[Auggie]

11. I don't agree

It's clear the statement was a comparrison based on experience and past success.

[underpants]

7. Not to forget the marketing aspect (he *IS* qualified) NC has one of the largest Latino populations

in the US