The Value of Patience

[Mr. Scot]

From Steve Reed...

Richardson rewarded for patience with Rivera

 

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Six games into Rivera's second season in Carolina, team owner Jerry Richardson fired longtime general manager Marty Hurney after a 1-5 start and called Rivera into his office. He told him the Panthers need to be "trending upward," but assured Rivera he wouldn't make any decisions on his future until they met after the season.

The Panthers went 6-4 the rest of the way in 2012, including four straight wins to close the season and finished with a 7-9 record.

Even after the Panthers started 1-3 in 2013, Richardson remained patient.

Rivera eventually found his groove, coaching more aggressively and earning the nickname "Riverboat Ron" for his penchant for taking risks on fourth down.

The Panthers would finish 12-4 in 2013, Rivera's third season, winning the first of three straight NFC South championships.

This year they started 14-0 and will host Seattle on Sunday as the NFC's No. 1 seed.

 

 

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"Nobody wants to be on the hot seat —and I'm not a big fan of that term," Rivera told The Associated Press. "But I will say this: What gave me confidence more than anything else is Mr. Richardson telling me, 'I will never make a decision in the middle of the season. This is too important.'"

Richardson didn't want Rivera feeling any pressure.

He told Rivera, "I don't want you looking over your shoulder. I want you looking forward. I want you looking at the team and I want to see you trending up."

And while he would still spend most of the 2012 season — and some of early 2013 — answering questions about his job security, Rivera knew in the back of his mind that he had time to find a solution.

"For him to tell me not to worry, just to work — man, that took a lot of pressure off," Rivera said.

 

 

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Rivera is 33-10-1 in his last 44 regular season games and nobody is talking about his long-term future anymore. He got a three-year contract extension in 2014.

Not every NFL owner has been so patient.

Three of the seven NFL coaches hired in 2014 have already been fired. Hue Jackson became the Cleveland Browns' ninth coach in 18 seasons after parting ways with Mike Pettine after just two seasons.

The San Francisco 49ers didn't wait that long, firing Jim Tomsula after one season.

In today's win-now world it's almost unfathomable how Tom Landry survived as long as he did. The Hall of Fame coach started his tenure in Dallas with six straight losing seasons before taking the Cowboys to the playoffs 17 of the next 18 seasons.

 

 

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Rivera said with Richardson, the owner offered more than just patience.

They would meet regularly to discuss some of the things he needed to do to improve on as a coach. He even set Rivera up to meet with longtime friend, coach John Madden.

"I think he felt the responsibility because he OK'd my hiring and he wanted to see me succeed," Rivera said.

Rivera said picking Madden's brain was a huge help.

 

 

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He's also spoken with and learned from other successful coaches as well. On Saturday, he met with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski after watching the Blue Devils play at Cameron Indoor Stadium. After their conversation, Rivera stepped outside the room and began writing down everything he could remember Krzyzewski telling him.

Rivera said based on what he now knows, his biggest advice to first-time NFL coaches is to hire a former head coach as a consultant.

"It's funny, you think you're ready to be a head coach — you really do — and you have a book, and all of this stuff that is there to help you, but the truth of the matter is until you have done it and sat in that chair you don't realize how hard it is," Rivera said. "Some crazy things come up."

 

 

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Rivera has turned to his military roots to help deal with various scenarios.

He's brought in admirals, colonels and sergeant majors to speak to his players and staff. He said they told him about a study the military conducted in which it takes five to seven years to change a culture.

"It doesn't happen overnight," Rivera said. "Whether it's fair or not that a coach gets two years or not, the thing that we all need to do is take a step back and look."

Rivera has benefited from working for an owner who looked beyond where his team was at, and believed in where it was going.

 

 

Talked about some similar things just a little while back here: Coaching Longevity (Or Lack Of It)

Its kind of appropriate that Rivera was a 2nd Round draft pick as a player.  Even as a coach, he's not that Top Ten pick, that guy who's gonna come in and set the world on fire immediately.  Instead, he's that guy who's gonna come in and make some mistakes early on (maybe even make you wonder why you picked him) but in-between that he's gonna work, and work, and work, and work until he finally starts showing improvement in his areas of concern.  And that's when he becomes a valuable player on your team.

Basically, he's not a Julius Peppers; more of a Charles Johnson.

Admittedly, there was a time when I wasn't so patient with Rivera.  Heck, that's true for a lot of us here.

But then I suppose that's why we (me included) are not the guys making these decisions.

[5158Poundin]

I am so glad that Big Cat had the patience.  His ability to read Rivera, coach him and he set some important foundations by giving him access to a former head coach.  Why I still believe we have the best owner in the NFL.  I am so glad he is not like the Cleveland Browns, etc.. Nice one.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

Good thing JR decided to ride things out with Riverboat Ron during the dark days.

He would have been Long Gone Ron after that 1-3 start a few years back had it been up to me.

Fortunately for all Panthers fans cooler heads prevailed.

[Mr. Scot]

Not really mentioned here, but I think the hire of Dave Gettleman was a big, big deal for Rivera.

I have no actual evidence to support it, but some "reading between the lines" of stories written way back when made me think that Rivera and Marty Hurney did not work so well together. 

Rivera and Gettleman, on the other hand, have by all accounts a very good working relationship and it makes a difference.

(just ask the 49ers, Colts and Eagles)

[NanuqoftheNorth]

JR giving up on nepotism and instead hiring well seasoned professionals to run the franchise has turned the Panthers from a mediocre, hit and miss, mom and pop organization into a well oiled machine within just a few years.

There was a time not so long ago when our future did not look much better than the Browns.  

[Mr. Scot]

It takes a smart man to realize when he needs help.

It takes a wise man to actually seek it.

[Captain Morgan]

I love this team, the way the owner hired the right management, how we've drafted and most importantly the character we've built. Most outsiders see Cam celebrating, and Josh talking, and get the wrong impression about who this team is.

I love this team.  Even if we lose Sunday, we're set for years.  A team built on good character and getting players who are that but are also talented.  Hard to beat that combo.

[Mr. Scot]

I think it also helps that Rivera came to a better understanding of his players.

Hence...

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Music has blasted and players have danced around the Carolina Panthers' locker room for the better part of two seasons now. That it was still happening Thursday is important.

"It goes back to talking about their personality. This is who these young men are," coach Ron Rivera said.

There should be heaps of pressure on the Panthers this week. After a 15-1 season, going one-and-done in the playoffs would be a disaster. But as they've prepared for their divisional round battle with Seattle, tension has been noticeably absent.

To be clear, having a good time doesn't mean a lack of focus. The Panthers proved this year that you can have fun and still win. If they don't on Sunday, it won't be because they were dancing during the week.

"They're loose, they're working hard, they're preparing hard," Rivera said. "I like the fact that they had the bye week. We were able to do some work. I think the guys have focused in on improving, and again, I think they believe they understand what the task at hand is. I thought it was a good practice again today.

"I think this is all part of who they are. As long as we're practicing and we're focusing the way we need to, this is just part of it. It's about not getting tight, not being uptight. It's about being focused and prepared."

Pressure? Not inside the Panthers locker room

That a coach who played for the 85 Bears is okay with a loose, happy locker room probably shouldn't shock anybody.

[mc52beast]

If it was up to 95% of the Huddlers Ron would have been gone years ago... 

[jasonluckydog]

If we beat Seattle we need SB Shuffle part 2

[Keep Pounding]

I'm happy we kept Ron , we went to same high school and both grew up on fort ord and in seaside ca. A hometown hero in my eyes, been a big fan of his for a long time 

[maddog1945]

There are some people associated with the Panthers that are not just "football smart" but they have the ability to see something in someone that can translate in to making smart choices, not only on the field,  but in  choosing the right personal, being able to learn as the season goes on and to learn from mistakes.

Not saying RR made mistakes, he grew as each seasons went on!

And look where he is now!!!

Keep Pounding!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

   

[ThPantherFan]

I have upheld RR for coach since the beginning.  I've never thought different than that he will make a great coach.  Guys, I'm not bragging or saying 'look at me' at all.  I'm not that type of a person.  In fact you can trace back on all those 'fire Rivera' posts from the past and you'll see what I mean.  I based my standing behind him on how he held himself as a player and as his career kept building.  He's not afraid to say 'I was wrong'.  He will listen to his players and make the tough decision if need be.  He is a player's coach.  He's been there and done that.

[pantherclaw]

Really great piece.