CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- One could argue Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera stuck his neck out when he stuck with offensive coordinator Mike Shula and quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey following a disastrous 6-10 season.
After all, quarterback Cam Newton had the worst season of his career and the offseason plan is to evolve the offense so the 2015 NFL MVP is less involved in the running game.
One of those things typically leads to a change. Both seemingly demanded it.
But Rivera, one of the most loyal head coaches in the NFL, stood by Shula and Dorsey.