Rivera was hired ahead of the 2011 season and he was there for the vast majority of Newton's Panthers career. He, similarly to his former pupils, was critical of Newton's chosen language.

Rivera remains the winningest coach in Carolina Panthers franchise history, compiling a record of 76-63-1 in his nine years on the job. He led Carolina to its best single-season record of 15-1 in ...

Rivera went on to lead Carolina to 76 regular-season wins, the most by a head coach in franchise history, along with three NFC South titles and the organization's second-ever Super Bowl appearance.