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Carolina Panthers sign head coach Ron Rivera to two-year extension

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have signed head coach Ron Rivera to a two-year extension through 2020, the team reported Saturday.

The news comes just a day before the Panthers' big playoff game against their division rival, the New Orleans Saints.

Team officials said Rivera’s deal was set to expire at the end of the 2018 season.

“I’m very excited about it because I really like where we are as a football team,” Rivera said. “We’ve done some really good things and we have an opportunity to do more. Things are in place and we can continue this success. We’ve had consistency of winning and we’ve gone to the playoffs four out of five years.”

Tina Becker became chief operating officer for the Panthers after owner Jerry Richardson announced his decision to sell the team, which officials said stabilized the business side of the organization.

The extension for Rivera is a big step toward stabilizing the football side, team officials said.

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In seven seasons as head coach, Rivera has guided the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance, a National Football Conference Championship and three NFC South titles. He is a two-time Associated Press National Football League Coach of the Year award winner.

Carolina has been to the playoffs four times in the past five seasons under Rivera, tied for the most playoff appearances in the NFC over that stretch.

With Carolina, Rivera has compiled a 64-47-1 regular season record, giving him a franchise-best .576 winning percentage as head coach. This season, he has guided the Panthers to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth.

“This is a tremendous place with tremendous support from ownership and the people that work in the organization,” Rivera said. “And I really appreciate the support we’ve gotten from our fans in the Carolinas. That’s a big reason why I want to continue my association with this organization.”

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