The Carolina Panthers have fired head coach Ron Rivera, the team announced Tuesday.
“I have a great deal of respect for Ron and the contributions he has made to this franchise and to this community. I wish him the best," team owner David Tepper said. "I will immediately begin the search for the next head coach of the Carolina Panthers.”
Perry Fewell has been named interim head coach. Norv Turner will transition to special assistant to the head coach, and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner will serve as offensive coordinator.
Rivera led the Panthers to the NFC championship in 2015, but the club stands at just 5-7 this season. The 57-year-old leaves with a 76-63-1 record, including three NFC South championships and four playoff appearances, most recently in 2017.
Rivera spent three seasons as the San Diego Chargers' defensive coordinator and one as the club's linebackers coach prior to taking over in Carolina ahead of the 2011 campaign. He was also the Chicago Bears' defensive coordinator from 2004-06.
Carolina is the second NFL franchise to make a coaching change during the 2019 campaign, following Washington's firing of Jay Gruden.
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