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Ron Rivera wins 2015 NFL Coach of the Year, Wade Phillips Assistant of the Year

By Charles Rahrig V

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera waves to the fans after defeating the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Championship football game held at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera waves to the fans after defeating the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Championship football game held at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera was named the 2015 NFL Coach of the Year.

There are not many awards in the NFL at the end of the season that are easy votes, but the 2015 NFL Coach of the Year was a runaway. On Saturday night, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera was named the 2015 NFL Coach of the Year at the NFL Honors.

Rivera’s Panthers went 15-1 during the regular season and took the league by storm. In the postseason, the Panthers steamrolled through two NFC West teams en route to a trip to Super Bowl 50 and established themselves as one of the most dominant teams in the league.

What made Rivera’s season personally great, was his testament to coaching a roster full of guys that other teams didn’t want and turning them into great players. While the Panthers had superstars in place, Rivera’s coaching of players that they picked up on a cheap deals helped carry the Panthers to where they are.

Rivera’s story of becoming the 2015 NFL Coach of the Year is a long time coming. His early years with the Panthers were lean and many wondered if he would last as the head coach of a franchise that wasn’t clicking. The Panthers instilled their faith in him to be their coach and it has paid off ever since.

He has overseen the development of Cam Newton as a quarterback and a leader of the team. He has always defended his team through criticisms and has never been afraid to let his players express who they really are. That’s what makes Rivera the coach that he is.

Also on Saturday night, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was named the Assistant Coach of the Year. Phillips was brought in to help take the Broncos’ defense to the next level and on the season, the Broncos became quickly one of the best ever.

Led by a great pass rush, a physical defensive line and one of the best secondaries in the league, the Broncos had it all on defense. They always had the pieces to make it happen, but the addition of Phillips helped it all finally click in Denver.

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