CHARLOTTE - Head coach Ron Rivera recorded his 74th regular season win on Sunday, moving into first place as Carolina's all-time winningest coach.
Rivera now has a regular season record of 75-58-1 (.573), passing John Fox who finished with an all-time record of 73-71 (.507). A two-time NFL Coach of the Year, Rivera is also 3-4 in the postseason with three NFC South titles and an NFC Championship title in 2015.
"It's kind of cool," Rivera said after the game. "It truly is a tribute to our team. The players that we have had have been tremendous. The coaches - I've been very fortunate enough to have great coaching staffs with guys like that. Mr. Tepper with the things he has given us and the opportunities he is creating for this football team to get better, it's pretty exciting."
Under Rivera, the Panthers became the first team to win back-to-back NFC South titles, doing it three seasons in a row from 2013-15. He is the seventh-longest tenured coach among all active NFL coaches.
"He's the best," linebacker Luke Kuechly said. "Coach Rivera is one of those guys who loves the players and I think that's the best part about him. Obviously, he's a great coach. He understands ball. But he loves the guys and guys really appreciate that and feed off that."
"I'm very fortunate with my family," Rivera said. "With my parents, my brothers and my wife, Stephanie, and kids who have been with me the whole way. It feels pretty good. It really does."
