Ron Rivera has done it again.
The Carolina Panthers' Rivera has won The Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award for the second time in three years.
Rivera led the Carolina Panthers to an unprecedented third straight NFC South title and two playoff victories. He has the Panthers in the Super Bowl with a 17-1 record; they face the Denver Broncos on Sunday for the championship.
The Panthers quarterback, Cam Newton, won The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards Saturday night.
In a season featuring several outstanding coaching jobs, Rivera easily outdistanced the field. He received 36 1-2 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the league. That was far in front of Kansas City's Andy Reid with six votes.
Rivera has a career mark of 50-34-1.
He dedicated this one to his late brother, Mickey, who died recently.
"It's a tremendous award for the organization," Rivera said. "It validates everything that we've done. And again, our success always starts at the top.”
“I really do appreciate our owner, Mr. (Jerry) Richardson, for believing in me and giving me my opportunity. Dave Gettleman and Marty Hurney - the two general managers I've worked with - I thank them for what they've done. Our coaching staff has been tremendous; our players have been outstanding."
The only other Panthers coach to win the award was Dom Capers in 1996.
Rivera was presented the award Saturday night during the NFL Honors show and accepted in a video.
Based on reporting by The Associated Press.
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