February 20, 2007
Bears Dump DC Rivera, Chargers Pick Him Up As LB Coach
What a day in the NFL and for the Chargers yesterday. First the Chargers hire Norv Turner as their head coach, then the Bears announce that they are not resigning DC Ron Rivera, who interviewed with a number of teams off-season for their head coaching positions, including the Chargers. Later in the day the Chargers made a deal with Rivera to be their second of 2 line backers coach. Great pickup for the bolts, but one has to wonder what was going on in Chicago. That defense looked pretty good in getting an otherwise average team to the Super Bowl. Bears coach Lovie Smith was actively trying to help Rivera get a head coaching job … and now we know why, he had no intentions of keeping him.
Dan Guerrero and Karl Dorrell should take notice. Dan should note that such a process is legit and could work. And Karl should note that if he doesn’t win the conference championship next season he should take what he can get in the NFL because he may just be shown the door anyway.
