Rivera guided the Panthers to their first playoff trip under him with a 12-4 record after 6-10 and 7-9 campaigns the previous two years.
His team's breakthrough success was tied to his defensive acumen and more aggressive yet calculated style. The Panthers won the NFC South title and earned the No. 2 seed in the playoffs on the strength of the No. 2 total and scoring defense.
Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton, who both came to Carolina in 2011, emerged as a top combination, leading the Panthers' Pro Bowl contingent.
Although nicknamed "Riverboat Ron," it was Rivera's embracing of analytics that paid off.
Rivera is the second consecutive NFC South coach to win the honor, following Atlanta's Mike Smith from 2012.
The best of the rest, based on voting
2. Andy Reid, Chiefs
3. Mike McCoy, Chargers
4. Bruce Arians, Cardinals
5. Bill Belichick, Patriots
6. Gus Bradley, Jaguars
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Coordinator of the Year
