CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ron Rivera's future with the Carolina Panthers is in limbo, and one media outlet is reporting he will be fired later Monday.
NFL Network reporter Michael Lombardi said he expects Rivera to lose his job sometime Monday afternoon. The Panthers, who finished the season at 7-9 Sunday with a six-point win over New Orleans, have not commented on the report.
Carolina won its last four games of the regular season--the second under Rivera--after going 6-10 last season. Rivera was named the franchise's fourth head coach on January 11, 2011.
Also from @michaelombardi: Ron Rivera expected to be fired today. #blackmonday
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 31, 2012
After sending out the tweet, Lombardi later apparently recanted, as the tweet has since been deleted.
Rivera addressed the rumors during a Monday morning press conference with reporters. He said he hadn't spoken to owner Jerry Richardson yet, and there isn't a timeline on when they will meet.
"I'm proud of the fact that those guys showed up every day and worked, did the things we asked and did them very well," said Rivera on Sunday.
The coach admitted it's tough not knowing where he stands, but he knows it's part of the process.
His eyes were red after he stood by the locker room door and exchanged hugs with players walking off the field. "This is a good group of men and they deserved this. They deserved the opportunity to win four in a row."
"Mr. Richardson has been fair and I appreciate the opportunity he has given me, and we will see how things unfold," Rivera said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
