Washington head coach Ron Rivera has raised some eyebrows, particularly for his rather “inconsistent” decision-making. While this trait has been considered as a liability, Rivera has embraced this criticism, noting that it's something that he learned from the great John Madden.
Rivera is pretty much aware that his rather fickle-minded approach to coaching has frustrated critics and fans alike. For him, this is simply his coaching style. If it works, it works. And if it fails, he'll accept the fault, pluck out the lessons, and do better next time.
“It does look a little inconsistent, but the consistency is that I'm going to make them based on what I know, on my gut feeling on things,” Rivera said, per John Keim of ESPN. “Hopefully, they're good decisions. If they're not, we'll know and I'll take responsibility, that's for doggone sure.”
Rivera believes that he learned to rely on his instincts from Hall of Fame coach and former broadcaster John Madden. When Rivera was with the Carolina Panthers, he had a difficult time winning close games. That's when Madden told him to trust his instincts.
“I went back and looked at them and there were some decisions that, now, I wouldn’t have made,” Rivera said. “But I learned. Those are hard knocks. They were things that I had to get and understand and learn as a head coach. I think that’s part of what drives my decision-making now.”
All in all, Rivera simply wants the best for his team. His ways won't always be popular but he's sticking with his guns.
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