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Carolina Panthers Name Perry Fewell as Interim Head Coach

Perry Fewell, interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers. (Courtesy: Carolina Panthers)

CHARLOTTE (GSM) — In the wake of a major shake-up in North Carolina, secondary coach Perry Fewell will carry the team for the rest of the season. The Carolina Panthers fired head coach Ron Rivera after nine seasons at the helm. 

2019 is Fewell’s first season with the Panthers and served as secondary coach for Bears, Rams, Redskins, Giants and most recently the Jaguars, stemming back to 1998.

Fewell adds to the list of only 3 black head coaches in the NFL: Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins), Anthony Lynn (Los Angeles Chargers) and Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers).

Interim head coach Perry Fewell addresses the media for the first time

Fewell spoke about his past coaching experience, his on-field coaching style and his goals for the last four games of the season.


As for Rivera, however, he ends his tenure with an overall winning record of 76-63-1 with a poor showing in the postseason at 3-4. “My biggest regret is not winning the Superbowl,” Rivera said at Bank of America Stadium Wednesday. He says he is not done with his career and on if he plans to coach again, “I want to be able to coach people and impact people.” 

Ron Rivera during the 2017 Carolina Panthers training camp at Wofford College’s Gibbs Stadium. (Montez Aiken, Montez Aiken Photography for Golden Sky Media)

Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement, “I believe this is the best decision for the long-term success of our team.” Tepper said about Rivera, “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. I will immediately begin the search for the next head coach of the Carolina Panthers.”