How many head coaching positions did Ron Rivera interview for...?

[hepcat]

I've wanted to bring this up for awhile. How many head coaching positions did Ron Rivera interview for, until he finally got hired as the head coach in Carolina? I believe he's been interviewing for positions since 2006. In 2007, Pittsburgh, Arizona, Dallas, and San Diego were interested in hiring him.

Despite the Bears making a Superbowl appearance while he was defensive coordinator, for some reason, he was let go and took a demotion to coach the linebackers in San Diego. He eventually became defensive coordinator there, and had some solid defenses (I believe they were ranked #1 overall in 2010).

All things considered, he seems like the kind of guy that was passed over quite a bit. Why was this? Ron Rivera explained a possible reason for this in a press conference when he was hired with Carolina - teams he was on were always in the playoffs and the teams looking for head coaches would be interviewing while the season was still going for him. I understand that might be the case, but many head coaches have been plucked from teams still in the playoffs...I don't think that should be used as a reason. If a team wanted you as a head coach, they'd find a way to make it work...

Did Carolina miss something every other team that interviewed him saw?

[Snake]

I think its less about Rivera and more about the parameters he is expect to work within. Name one FA player we have picked up that started for another team? Yep the Edwards wall and thats about it and it has seen the most improvement. If we want to win we need a better plan in place than what Hurney has in mind.