Nothing has been easy for Ron Rivera since he joined the Washington Commanders. From the day he walked into the office in Ashburn, Virginia, it has been one obstacle after the next. From a global pandemic to a tumultuous ownership change, Rivera’s time in the nation’s capital was anything but smooth.
Ultimately, his time with the team came to a breaking point, when Rivera was officially relieved of his duties as the head coach of the franchise. It is a move that surprised no one, but a big move nonetheless. Naturally, as the dominoes begin to fall on “Black Monday,” the NFL world will surely react.
NFL World Reacts to Ron Rivera Finally Being Fired
Rivera finished his tenure in Washington with a woeful 26-49-1 record. During his four-year run as the head coach of the franchise, Rivera did not have a winning season and only finished at .500 once — in 2022, when they finished 8-8-1. It was a largely disappointing tenure for an otherwise successful and respected coach.
Statement from #Commanders owner Josh Harris, who says Magic Johnson will also be part of the advisory committee to hire a head of football operations and head coach after Ron Rivera’s firing. pic.twitter.com/A8XuzaLAMk
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 8, 2024
New owner Josh Harris released a statement shortly after the firing and made it known that he is in no way taking this decision lightly as they look ahead for their future leader.
“To deliver upon our ultimate goal of becoming an elite franchise and consistently competing for the Super Bowl, there is a lot to do, and first, we must establish a strong organizational infrastructure led by the industry’s best and most talented individuals.”
Ron Rivera’s Washington tenure was defined by obstacles, including:
🏈Three team names
🏈Two owners
🏈Eight starting quarterbacks
🏈A 26-49-1 recordHe also battled and beat squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2024
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter puts into words all of the things Rivera had to go through since taking over the job and further highlights just how tough of a time it was for Rivera, both personally and professionally.
“Ron Rivera’s Washington tenure was defined by obstacles, including three team names, two owners, Eight starting quarterbacks, a 26-49-1 record … he also battled and beat squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer.”
Ex-Commanders coach Ron Rivera is addressing his players now.
Meanwhile, Josh Harris announced co-owners Mitch Rales, David Blitzer and Magic Johnson, ex-Vikings GM Rick Spielman and ex-Warriors GM Bob Myers will serve on an a committee to find a new HC and head of football ops.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 8, 2024
Things move quickly in the NFL, and as MMQB’s Albert Breer states, the Commanders wasted no time putting their future in motion.
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“Ex-Commanders coach Ron Rivera is addressing his players now. Meanwhile, Josh Harris announced co-owners Mitch Rales, David Blitzer, and Magic Johnson, ex-Vikings GM Rick Spielman, and ex-Warriors GM Bob Myers will serve on a committee to find a new HC and head of football ops.”
Rivera’s Record With the Commanders
Rivera finished with a record of 26-49-1 during his tenure, and the lack of success is simply why he is no longer around. During Rivera’s first season with the team in 2020, they finished 7-9, followed by 7-10, 8-8-1, and finally 4-13 this season.
Rivera was brought in to turn around a struggling but once proud franchise, and he unfortunately could not do that during his time there.
His first season in the nation’s capital was during the Covid season, in which nothing was normal for anyone. The team struggled as much as the NFC East did that year, and despite no one having a quality season in the division that season, Rivera and his team were not able to capitalize on it.
From there, things would not get any easier, and as a result, he would start the new year searching for his next opportunity.
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