When Lovie Smith was a prospective head coach, the St. Louis Rams did little to encourage his departure, with the exception of coach Mike Martz.
Now that Smith is head coach of the resurgent and playoff-bound Chicago Bears, he is backing his defensive coordinator Ron Rivera for a head coaching position in the NFL – including the one that just opened when the Rams fired Martz on Monday.
“If you’re looking for a head football (coach) right now, wouldn’t you want to contact him?,” Smith asked rhetorically
After firing Mike Martz Monday, Rams president John Shaw said the team asked permission to speak to Rivera. New Orleans, Green Bay, Minnesota, Houston and Kansas City also have openings.
Detroit, which fired Steve Mariucci during the season, might not keep interim coach Dick Jauron, and the Oakland Raiders are considering letting Norv Turner go.
In addition, Bill Parcells could choose to retire in Dallas, and Rivera’s Hispanic background could work in his favor with many fans in the Southwest.
In going from 5-11 to 11-5, Rivera’s defense was ranked No. 1 for seven weeks before relinquishing the top spot in Sunday’s 34-10 loss at Minnesota – a game in which the starters either sat out or were pulled early. The Bears allowed the fewest points in the NFL (12.6 per game) in his second season.
“As teams look at Ron, they should look at what he was able to do with our defense this year,” Smith said.
