Sean McDermott vs. Ron Rivera
Prior to joining the Buffalo Bills, Sean McDermott spent a number of years working with Ron Rivera across a few franchises. The Bills head coach joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999 before joining the Eagles coaching staff in 2001. Ron Rivera joined the Eagles coaching staff the same year as linebackers coach.
Rivera left in 2004 to join the Chicago Bears while McDermott stayed with the Eagles through the 2010 season in a number of different roles. However, when Ron Rivera was named head coach of the Carolina Panthers, one of the first additions he made was adding Sean McDermott as his defensive coordinator. He remained on the staff in that role for six seasons before becoming head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
Ron Rivera, who is now head coach of the Washington Football Team, will face his former defensive coordinator for the second time. The first time they met was actually Sean McDermott’s second regular season game as head coach, a game the Panthers won 9-3 in Carolina.
Sean McDermott talked about the respect he has for Ron Rivera but there is no question he would like to get that first win against his former mentor.