Ron Rivera Named 2013 Associated Press Coach of the Year

February 2, 2014   ·   Tyler Conway   ·   Jump to comments

Four games into the 2013 season, Ron Rivera was 1-3, on the hot seat and widely ridiculed for his overly conservative decision-making. What a difference a few months can make.
Rivera won the 2013 Associated Press Coach of the Year award on Saturday after spearheading the Panthers' charge to a 12-4 record and their first playoff berth in five seasons. Better known by his nickname Riverboat Ron, Rivera beat out Andy Reid, Bill Belichick and other deserving suitors, the NFL announced:
The Associated Press decides the award, which has been an annual staple since 1957, by polling 50 writers. Rivera is the second Carolina head coach to receive the honor, joining Dom Capers, who led the Panthers to a 12-4 record in just their second year of existence.
Rivera didn't pull off quite that surprising feat, but it's hard to find any coach who underwent a bigger transformation in 2013. Left for dead after their ugly start, the Panthers seemed in need of a major change. Cam Newton...

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