Washington (AFP) – The Washington Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera on Monday after the team failed to make the playoffs for a third straight season.
Rivera was shown the door after the Commanders were thrashed 38-10 at home by the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday’s season finale.
Rivera joined Washington in 2020 and led the team to the playoffs in his first season in charge despite only managing a 7-9 record.
But the 62-year-old, who guided the Carolina Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2015-2016 campaign, was never able to get Washington back to the postseason after that initial success.
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Washington slumped to a 4-13 record this season to finish bottom of the NFC East.
“As we look ahead, we recognize the results this season were not good enough and a strategic shift in leadership and approach is necessary,” Washington Commanders managing partner Josh Harris said in a statement announcing Rivera’s dismissal.
“To deliver upon our ultimate goal of becoming an elite franchise and consistently competing for the Super Bowl, there is a lot to do, and first we must establish a strong organizational infrastructure led by the industry’s best and most talented individuals.
“As such, we will conduct a thorough search process to ensure we find the right candidates to guide this franchise forward.”
Harris has recruited former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman to help lead the search for Rivera’s replacement.
Rivera’s dismissal follows the decision by the Atlanta Falcons late Sunday to fire head coach Arthur Smith.
Smith was fired after the Falcons were thumped 48-17 by the New Orleans Saints in their season finale.
