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Rams Interview Former Commanders' Head Coach Ron Rivera For Defensive Coordinator Job

The Los Angeles Rams have brought in one of the top defensive minds in football to interview for their open defensive coordinator position, in former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera

Matt Galatzan

The Los Angeles Rams are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to finding a replacement for now-former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who was hired as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons last week. 

L.A. had already scheduled interviews with three candidates, including former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley this week. 

Now, according to reports from CBS NFL insider Jonathan Jones, they are bringing in another former franchise leader in recently fired Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, who was let go after four seasons with the franchise. 

Ron Rivera Sean McVay
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rivera, who is universally known as one of the best defensive minds in football, is coming off of two separate head coaching stints, most recently with Washington from 2020-2023. 

During his time with the Commanders, Rivera went 26-40-1 overall, making the playoffs just one time in 2020, while taking home an NFC East title that season. He never won a playoff game with the team. 

Before that, Rivera was the head coach for the Carolina Panthers for nine seasons from 2011-2019, where he found much more success. Rivera finished his tenure with the Panthers going 76-63-1 and winning the NFC South three times in a row from 2013-2015. The Panthers reached the playoffs in four of his nine seasons.

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Before becoming a head coach, Rivera was the Chargers defensive coordinator from 2008-2010 and served as the team's linebackers coach in 2007. During his time with the Chargers, Rivera's defense ranked 15th in total defense in 2008, 11th in 2009, and 10th in 2010.

Ahead of his Chargers tenure, he was the Bears defensive coordinator from 2004-2006, and the Eagles linebackers coach from 1999-2003. 

In Chicago, Rivera's defense became one of the very best in the NFL, ranking 13th during his first season with the team in 2004, and jumping up to the No. 1 total defense in the league the next season in 2005. In his final season with the Bears in 2006, the defense ranked No. 3 in the NFL.

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com

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