Bears won't renew Rivera's contract

[az jam]

Bears won't renew Rivera's contract
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Jay Glazer / FOXSports.com



Bears head coach Lovie Smith is making long-term plans for the future of the team and one of the plans could surprise many Bears fans.

FOXSports.com has learned that Chicago has decided to not renew the contract of defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Team sources say that Smith and Rivera met recently and agreed to allow Rivera to pursue other opportunities. The sources also contend that Smith will likely end up promoting Bob Babich from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator.
People inside the Bears saw this coming for a while as Babich has been reached out to from a handful of teams in the last two off-seasons and Smith, who unlike many other coaches does not block his assistants from moving up, did not want to lose him. Thus, the head coach had a tough decision to make and promoting Babich was his choice.

Babich is also viewed as more of a long-term option for Smith as Rivera was in the running for several head coaching jobs this off-season and last year. To this point, however, he has failed to land one. He did not sign an extension last off-season, which allowed him to be a free agent after the Bears' Super Bowl run. Most teams figured he'd get one of the vacant head coaching openings and as a result has been left out in the cold.

As for a defensive coordinator opening, there's only one open right now and that is Ted Cottrell's for the taking in San Diego. Still, now that Rivera is officially free another team may decide to make a run at a man who helped guide a unit to this year's prized game.

Rivera has been with Smith since he took over the head coaching duties in Chicago.

 

[az jam]

Fire Pendergast and hire Rivera as DC.

 

[Scott MS]

It would be amazing if this team could secure three head coaching candidates on the same coaching staff. But, this is the Cardinals we're talking about.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Rivera for DC .. ?? interesting ..

 

[Redheart]

It would be amazing if this team could secure three head coaching candidates on the same coaching staff. But, this is the Cardinals we're talking about.

I wonder if that would be a good thing...if ego's got involved...

 

[Solar7]

I'd be tempted to get rid of Pendergast for Rivera, but at the same time, I think maintaining some continuity on defense might be best for us.

Can you imagine how bad the offseason hype meter would jump off the charts if we pulled in Rivera as well?

One last thing that concerns me... if we had too many guys who were potential head coach candidates, our staff could get torn up in a single offseason. Look at the Chargers. Do we want a similar thing to happen to us?

 

[Gambit]

I'd be tempted to get rid of Pendergast for Rivera, but at the same time, I think maintaining some continuity on defense might be best for us.

Can you imagine how bad the offseason hype meter would jump off the charts if we pulled in Rivera as well?

One last thing that concerns me... if we had too many guys who were potential head coach candidates, our staff could get torn up in a single offseason. Look at the Chargers. Do we want a similar thing to happen to us?

You need roleplayers on coaching staffs as much as on the field. Keep Pendy.

 

[Redheart]

If the Cardinals made it to the SB in '08, our OC and DC would be sought for HC somewhere. It is part of being a Champion team.

 

[JD Robertson]

Something that seems to be getting overlooked is, why hasn't Rivera gotten a head coaching job? Oakland, Dallas, San Diego, Arizona, Atlanta went elsewhere and now he isn't being re-upped to his own team. Is there something that we as fans don't know?

Just curious.

JD

 

[Gambit]

Something that seems to be getting overlooked is, why hasn't Rivera gotten a head coaching job? Oakland, Dallas, San Diego, Arizona, Atlanta went elsewhere and now he isn't being re-upped to his own team. Is there something that we as fans don't know?

Just curious.

JD

Maybe the fact that he was surprised that Indy went underneath in the SB, and he didn't make adjustments all game long. And that he speaks in cliches (smash-mouth football). I think he's a guy who had great athletes on D who made him look good, but that eventually you have to scheme to be a successful coach.

 

[DieHardFromMO]

Fire Pendergast and hire Rivera as DC.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[JD Robertson]

Gambit you are probably right. I wasn't real high on him. I thought I heard Urlacher say one time that when Lovie was hired he brought the defense together and held them accountable, never a mention on Rivera.

Just my 2 cents.

JD

 

[CardLogic]

Maybe the fact that he was surprised that Indy went underneath in the SB, and he didn't make adjustments all game long. And that he speaks in cliches (smash-mouth football). I think he's a guy who had great athletes on D who made him look good, but that eventually you have to scheme to be a successful coach.

Nice take, G!

 

[Stallion]

Didn't expect this. How do you go from interviewing for every open head job to not even keeping your old coordinator job?

Is Rivera the is who Denny thought he is, I mean, was?

 

[lobo]

I'd be tempted to get rid of Pendergast for Rivera, but at the same time, I think maintaining some continuity on defense might be best for us.

Can you imagine how bad the offseason hype meter would jump off the charts if we pulled in Rivera as well?

One last thing that concerns me... if we had too many guys who were potential head coach candidates, our staff could get torn up in a single offseason. Look at the Chargers. Do we want a similar thing to happen to us?

I am not looking for any accolades but I too mentioned this and of course agree. Too many cooks spoil the broth. The assortment of coaches on the staff is excellent in terms of their experience and where they have been. I like the idea of some real young blood and what some might consider "inexperience." Do you think a guy like Jeff Rugledge gets hired if he were a "bum"? I seriously doubt that.

Too often we think we/I know everything there is to know. Sadly we don't.

 

[Totally_Red]

Fire Pendergast and hire Rivera as DC.

That sounds like something Matt Millen would do.

 

[CardLogic]

Didn't expect this. How do you go from interviewing for every open head job to not even keeping your old coordinator job?

Probably has something to do with the "Rooney rule"...

 

[Mulli]

That sounds like something Matt Millen would do.

Or Jerry Jones.

 

[SMAC]

It looks like Rivera got "hosed." I don't think there are any defensive coordinator positions available at this late juncture. The Chargers are hiring Ted Cottrell as their assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. I guess Rivera will go to work for ESPN and keep his name and face in front of the camera for a 2008 NFL head coaching position or a college head coaching job. He might have interviewed for several of the openings because he meets the criteria of the Rooney Rule (Puerto Rican ethnicity) and was not a strong candidate for any of the openings in this year's process. From notes written about him it sounds like he needs to work on the interview process. Obviously, a year away from the game will give him ample time to learn the interview process better.

 

[Skkorpion]

Fire Pendergast and hire Rivera as DC.

If Pendergast had coached the Bears defense in the Super Bowl, the Bears would likely have been competitive.

Gambit is right. Rivera showed no scheming adjustment ability, not just in the Super Bowl, but also in the last third of the season.

 

[az jam]

Fire Pendergast and hire Rivera as DC.

I wasn't really being serious about this. Just threw it out there for some feedback. Remember when Denny got fired one of the first interviews was with Rivera in Chicago. Many on the board thought he would be the Cards choice. That was after the season and during the bye week for the Bears before they had their first playoff game. Many on the board also wanted Pendergast fired and felt it would be a mistake to make the new HC have to keep him. Lots has happened in a very short time.

Now Rivera doesn't even have his old job as DC with the Bears and all HC and DC openings are filled.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Fire Pendergast and hire Rivera as DC.

No way...he'd only be in AZ for a season or two...instead I'd rather hire him as Asst. Head Coach Defense...Similar to Greg What's his name in Washington. Let Pendy learn more from him and completely take the reigns over after Rivera gets a shot at HC.

 

[joeshmo]

Has nothing to do with rooney rules or what ever IMO.

I just think he is a really bad interview, and has the stigma of just being the caretaker of what is Lovie Smiths D(right or wrong doesnt amtter its all about perception).

 

[az jam]

Has nothing to do with rooney rules or what ever IMO.

I just think he is a really bad interview, and has the stigma of just being the caretaker of what is Lovie Smiths D(right or wrong doesnt amtter its all about perception).

Remember that he could not interview again (after the first bye week for the Bears) until after the Super Bowl. The only open position at that time was the Cowboys. He did get an interview with them and the Chargers but who knows what may have happened if he was available throughout the entire coach opening process. But I do agree with you that Lovie Smith has the reputation as the defensive guru for the Bears. I do think someone will give him an assistant coaching job.

 

[Indiana Hoosier]

Kinda makes you wonder about Rivera. Interviewed with several teams, and now the "BEARS", don't even want him!