The Washington Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera on Monday and hired two prominent front-office executives — including a former NBA general manager — to lead the search process for a new coach.
Rivera is done after a 4-13 season and a four-year mark of 26-40-1, one playoff appearance, which came from winning the NFC East in 2020 with a 7-9 mark.
New Commanders owner Josh Harris waited until the day after Rivera’s 62nd birthday to make the move that was widely expected.
Rivera thanked Harris for the last five-plus months and said he knew from the time of their first meeting that Harris would be a “great steward for the franchise.”
“I am lucky to have known you and Washington is lucky to have you,” said Rivera. “I’m going to miss the players and coaches more than I can express. Your professionalism, toughness, work ethic and dedication to the game is a credit not just to this franchise or the game itself but to each of you. You all showed up, every day, wiling to play hard for the team and that commitment will serve you well as better days are ahead. You will always have a place in my heart and my door will always be open to you. To the coaches, thank you for your hard work and 24/7 commitment to this team. I am grateful for your dedication to your craft and your mission to make each of your players the best they can be. I want you to know that you made a meaningful, measurable difference in every game we played.”
Harris announced that he has hired former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman as advisers to assist with the search process for a new coach and head of football operations.
NFL Network reported the Commanders formally requested interviews with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Under new offseason rules for coaching interviews, teams with a head-coaching vacancy have until Sunday, Jan. 21 to conduct initial virtual interviews with candidates who are employed by other teams. But coaches of teams involved in the wild-card round, such as Johnson and Glenn, aren’t permitted to do virtual interviews until after the opening round of the playoffs.
No in-person interviews for candidates with teams in the playoffs are permitted until Jan. 22.
Myers, who led the Warriors to four NBA titles, stepped down in June and will take the lead role in identifying and coordinating interviews with candidates, ESPN reported Monday. Myers has a longstanding relationship with Harris, who also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
“This is a crucial offseason for us, and we won’t shy away from the work needed to get back to a place where we can deliver a winning culture top to bottom,” Harris said in a statement shared with ESPN. “… I’ve known Bob a long time and watched him construct four championship teams and a highly successful organization in Golden State. … He is innovative, thoughtful, well-connected across sports and understands what it takes to solidify and sustain championship infrastructure. I think he’s going to be incredibly additive.”
Myers will also continue in his role as a studio and game analyst for ESPN.
ESPN reported that Commanders GM Martin Mayhew and executive VP of player personnel Marty Hurney will remain on staff through the process, with the new hires to determine their long-term futures.
Rivera is 102-103-2 in 13 seasons as head coach of the Carolina Panthers (2011-19) and Commanders.
Spielman was GM of the Vikings from 2012-21 and GM of the Dolphins in 2004. He has more than 30 years of front office experience.
–Field Level Media
