CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ron Rivera has received a one-year contract extension from the Carolina Panthers. The Charlotte Observer reported Thursday that Rivera's extension will pay him more than $6 million a year through the 2018 season, which places him among the league's highest-paid coaches. Seattle's Pete Carroll and New Orleans' Sean Payton reportedly are the league's highest-paid coaches at $8 million a year, followed by New England's Bill Belichick at $7.5 million. Last season, Rivera earned his second NFL Coach of the Year award in three seasons after guiding Carolina to a league-best 15-1 regular-season record and a trip to the Super Bowl. "It was an easy decision. Ron has worked extremely hard and we are thrilled with our current direction. [Team owner Jerry] Richardson has established a great culture here and Ron is a big part of that," Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement. Rivera, 54, has a 47-32-1 record since being hired in 2011 to replace John Fox. He has led Carolina to three consecutive NFC South titles.
|