On Monday morning, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris decided to part ways with coach Ron Rivera.
The news came amid a challenging season for the team, currently holding a 4-13 record and an unfortunate eight-game losing streak.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Commanders released an official statement on behalf of Mr. Harris.
“We’ve parted ways with head coach Ron Rivera,” read the caption of the post.
We’ve parted ways with head coach Ron Rivera pic.twitter.com/wTKnbgj0GU
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 8, 2024
In 2023, Josh Harris obtained ownership of the team from Daniel Snyder for a sum of $6.05 billion.
After Josh Harris took over, Washington Commanders underwent significant coaching changes, replacing offensive coordinator Scott Turner with Eric Bieniemy.
Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer were fired after a Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite a 2–0 start, the Commanders struggled. The team failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year and ended with a non-winning record for the seventh straight season.
The NFC East standings highlight the Dallas Cowboys’ dominance with a 12-5 record, having an 8-0 home performance.
The Philadelphia Eagles closely follow with an 11-6 record, displaying consistency both at home and within their division.
The New York Giants, standing at 6-11, have shown signs of improvement with a recent win.
To aid in the transition, the Commanders have enlisted the expertise of former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman.
They will play key roles in the search for a new head of football operations and head coach for the team.
Ron Rivera, a former player drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1984, transitioned to coaching in 1997, beginning as a quality control coach for the Bears. His coaching journey includes stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, a return to the Bears as their defensive coordinator, and eventually, a successful tenure as head coach for the Carolina Panthers.
Rivera earned recognition as the NFL Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2015, leading the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. He joined the Washington Commanders as head coach in 2020.
Despite the recent struggles, it’s worth noting that the Washington Commanders have a rich history, winning the Super Bowl three times in 1983, 1988, and 1992.
The team has also made five Super Bowl appearances in 1972, 1982, 1983, 1987, and 1991.
