Panthers f ire coach Rivera
Team, in 4-game skid, hindered by Newton injuries for two seasons
The Ron Rivera era has come to an abrupt end in Carolina.
The Panthers fired their alltime winningest head coach with the team on a four-game losing streak and headed to its third non-playoff season in four years.
“I believe this is the best decision for the long-term success of our team,” Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement Tuesday. “I have a great deal of respect for Ron and the contributions he has made to this franchise and to this community.”
Secondary coach Perry Fewell has been named interim head coach.
Offensive coordinator Norv Turner will transition to special assistant to the head coach, and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner will ser ve as offensive coordinator.
Tepper said he will begin a search for a new coach immediately.
Rivera was hired in 2011 and was 76-63-1 in the regular season with a 3-4 postseason mark. In nine seasons Rivera guided the team to a Super Bowl appearance, an NFC championship and three NFC South titles.
But the Panthers have fallen on hard times lately following injuries to quarterback Cam Newton the past two seasons.
The Panthers are 5-7 this season and are all but eliminated from playoff contention after a 29-21 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday at home. Broncos: Denver placed Derek Wolfe on injured reserve Tuesday, 48 hours after the defensive end dislocated his left elbow in a 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. That ended his most productive season, which featured a career-best seven sacks, one more than he had his rookie year in 2012. Two of those came Sunday when he sacked Philip Rivers before he was injured late in the fourth quarter. Browns: Cleveland released defensive end Chris Smith, whose girlfriend was killed in a roadside accident earlier this season. Smith spent the past two seasons with Cleveland.
Dolphins: Running back Kalen Ballage’s historically unproductive season ended Tuesday when he was placed on injured reserve by Miami. Ballage hurt his left leg in Sunday’s victory over Philadelphia. The second-year pro finishes the season with 135 yards in 74 carries. His 1.8-yard average is the worst by a running back with at least 70 carries since Phil Sarboe had a 1.2-yard average for two teams in 1936. Rams: Kick returner Jojo Natson has been placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The Rams (7-5) also signed tight end Kendall Blanton from the practice squad. titans: Tennessee claimed cornerback Tramaine Brock off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals and waived center Hroniss Grasu. Adding Brock should boost the depth of a Titans secondary that has been hit hard by injuries. Cornerback Adoree Jackson hurt his leg in a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Cornerback Leshaun Sims missed the Colts game with an ankle injury.