Ron Rivera: Updating Carolina Coach's Hot Seat Heading into Week 13

Sometimes things don't work out like they should. After patiently waiting for years to land a head-coaching gig, Ron Rivera's dream hasn't unfolded in a positive manner.

And now it's time for a rude awakening.

As far as hot seats go, Rivera's is scorching. It's on Pat Shurmer and Norv Turner levels.

The Carolina Panthers' 2011 season was completely excusable. A rookie head coach with a rookie quarterback is not a traditional formula for success.

Sorry, that laughing you hear is coming from Bruce Arians, Chuck Pagano and Andrew Luck.

But, come on, we all know that Luck is a once-in-a-generation rookie. Unless you count Robert Griffin III.

Regardless, a 6-10 season is actually pretty solid considering the 2-14 mark from 2010.

Yet, that doesn't save Rivera now. The Panthers needed to take a step forward in 2012.

And they haven't.

Carolina has been competitive in quite a few games though. They've only been blown out by the New York Giants and Denver Broncos. Those aren't exactly terrible teams.

However, the biggest indication of progression is pulling out close games. That's an area where this year's team has been an absolute mess.

Thus, the 3-8 record.

And beating the Philadelphia Eagles is not a marker of success. It just means that you arrived to the stadium on time.

His quarterback's sulking in press conferences further demonstrates that Rivera doesn't have a firm grasp on this team. If you have your quarterback's attention and he respects you, he doesn't allude to the need for a suggestion box.

I guarantee that wouldn't fly in any other NFL city. 

Rivera will inevitably be given another chance. Yet, it won't be next year with the Panthers. The time has come for these two to part ways before they get a joint checking account.

It would only make things more difficult later on.