Fansided

5 candidates to replace Ron Rivera as Panthers head coach

By Brad Berreman

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 10: HJead coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on after the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 10: HJead coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on after the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images /

4. Marvin Lewis, Former Bengals Head Coach

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported over the weekend that Lewis is expected to have opportunities to be a head coach again looking toward 2020. He’s spending this season at Arizona State as a special advisor under head coach Herm Edwards, and there’s some chance the 61-year old never coaches again.

In light of the Bengals’ 0-10 record this season, and the franchise’s run of ineptitude over the last 30 years, Lewis’ seven postseason appearances in 16 seasons as head coach(2003-2018), albeit with an 0-7 record, stands out. That includes five straight playoff appearances from 2011-2015, with two AFC North titles and two runner-up finishes in the division over that span. A dismal final three seasons in Cincinnati (19-28-1 combined record) served to diminish what he had done there.

With his high level of experience and background on the defensive side of the ball, Lewis could simply be cited as an older version of Rivera.

It’s difficult to know what Lewis will see as the right opportunity to come back as a head coach, assuming some opportunities do come his way. But on the assumption Rivera is let go, the Panthers should have some level of interest here.

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