'GETTING COACHED UP'
Ron Rivera set for new career venture as ex-Commanders head coach ‘auditions’ with TV network for NFL analyst job
ESPN may have found themselves a new star analyst
EX-HEAD coach of the Washington Commanders Ron Rivera has taken his first steps toward a new career.
Just two months after being fired by the Commanders, ending his four-year tenure as their head coach, Rivera has dipped his toes into the world of broadcasting.
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On Wednesday, the 62-year-old former Chicago Bears linebacker appeared on ESPN's SportsCenter and NFL Live.
Afterward, Rivera tweeted a photo posing alongside Ryan Clark and Hannah Storm on the NFL Live set.
"Getting coached up by some of the best in the broadcast football business @espn#NFLLive and #SportsCenter today and yesterday," he captioned the snap, before thanking ESPN stars Clark, Storm, Elle Duncan, Shae Peppler Cornette, and Kevin Negandhi.
"Rivera auditioning," tweeted ESPN's Commanders reporter John Keim along with a clip, adding, "Has drawn a lot of interest for TV roles."
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During his appearance on SportsCenter, Rivera weighed in on what he believes the Commanders should do at quarterback, given their uncertainty at the position and the fact they hold the second overall pick in this year's Draft.
Given offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's requirements for a quarterback to be mobile, he felt LSU's Jayden Daniels would be a good fit.
"If this is the style of offense you're gonna have, you've got to have that type of quarterback," Rivera said.
"A guy that can, again, move around the pocket, hold the football, find guys downfield, and just send it downfield to make guys make plays."
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Whether or not this will lead to a more permanent role with ESPN, or any other network, remains to be seen.
A second-round Draft pick out of California in 1984, Rivera spent his entire nine-year career in Illinois, winning Super Bowl XX as a member of the legendary 1985 Bears along the way.
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He retired following the 1992 season, turning to broadcasting with local stations WGN-TV and SportsChannel Chicago as an analyst.
In 1997, Rivera entered the coaching ranks with the Bears as a defensive quality control coach.
After stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, and a second with the Bears, he got his first head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers in 2011, where he would remain for the next nine years.
During that time, Rivera was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year twice and reached Super Bowl 50 - losing to the Denver Broncos 24-10.
Fired by Carolina during the 2019 season, he joined the Commanders in 2020.
Rivera currently has a 102-103 record as a head coach.
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