Ron Rivera was hired by the Washington Redskins and is beginning to add familiar faces to his coaching staff. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Rivera is going to hire his former linebackers coach from the Carolina Panthers.
Redskins’ HC Ron Rivera is hiring his former LB coach in Carolina, Steve Russ, to do the same job in Washington, per source. So Rivera reaching back to Carolina connections as he establishes himself in Washington.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2020
Rivera isn't wasting any time filling out his Redskins coaching staff and Steve Russ is his latest addition. Russ spent the past two seasons as Carolina's linebackers coach while under Rivera.
When a coach is hired, they tend to attempt to bring in former assistants due to already working with them before. Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Rivera is trying to lure some of his assistants from the Panthers to join him in Washington.
Besides Russ, Rivera also convinced Washington to hire Ryan Vermillion as the head athletic trainer. Of course, Vermillion was the head athletic trainer in Carolina during Rivera's tenure with the organization.
The decision to add Vermillion to the Redskins' organization is part of Rivera's plan to persuade Trent Williams to stay in Washington. Williams sat out for the entire 2019 season after being upset with how the Redskins' medical staff handled a tumor that was located on his head.
The veteran left tackle isn't set to become a free agent until 2021. But throughout the 2019 season, he was adamant about wanting to play in 2020. However, it remains to be seen if Williams is playing with the Redskins next season.
Regardless of Williams' future, Rivera is beginning to change the culture in the nation's capital. The respected head coach is achieving that by bringing in coaches that he's had success with in the past.
Follow Us
Subscribe