The Las Vegas Raiders have remained diligent in their coaching search.
While many have already tabbed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the Raiders’ next head coach, the team is still examining every possible option.
This week alone, the Raiders have interviewed three former head coaches in Pete Carroll (Seattle Seahawks), Robert Saleh (New York Jets) and Vance Joseph (Denver Broncos).
On Friday, the Raiders made it a fourth, with Ron Rivera officially interviewing with the team, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
The Raiders are interviewing ex-Commanders and Panthers coach Ron Rivera for their head-coaching job today, per sources.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 17, 2025
Rivera is most known for his time as head coach of the Carolina Panthers from 2011-19, and his near-decade long tenure with the team was the best in franchise history. He went 76-63-1 with the Panthers, including winning two Coach of the Year awards.
Rivera’s best season with the Panthers came in 2015, where he rode an MVP season from quarterback Cam Newton to a 15-1 record and eventually making it to Super Bowl 50. The Panthers would ultimately lose that game against the Denver Broncos 24-10.
After being fired midway through the 2019 season by the Panthers, Rivera would quickly land back on his feet as head coach of the Washington Commanders in 2020.
Rivera would be the head coach of the Commanders for four seasons, winning the NFC East division title in his first season. The winning did not follow, however, as Washington only managed a 26-40-1 record in that span.
Prior to Rivera’s head coaching exploits, he actually worked in the AFC West against the Raiders. He was a defensive coach on the then-San Diego Chargers, including serving as defensive coordinator from 2008-10.
Johnson may be the favorite in the race, but adding Rivera gives the Raiders another option.
