Ron Rivera. This guy. The Washington Commanders head coach is a great example of how likability can earn you the benefit of the doubt. Rivera hasn’t exactly crushed it in D.C. He improved to 16-23 overall after an ugly 12-7 win last Thursday against the Chicago Bears. The dreadful game will give NFL fans plenty of nightmares for years to come.
Rivera enjoyed some success in Carolina. Some. He made it to a Super Bowl as head coach of the Panthers. He lost to the Denver Broncos though. Rivera only had three winning seasons in Carolina and was fired during his ninth season there. He also never recorded back-to-back winning seasons.
Rivera’s teams had plenty of talent. He had a league MVP in Cam Newton, an outstanding linebacker in Luke Kuechly and many other solid starters. I’m not expecting deep playoff runs and Super Bowl success year after year; I’m just asking for back-to-back winning seasons here. It hasn’t happened once for Rivera. I don’t call him Riverboat Ron based on his aggressive coaching style when it’s fourth down. I call him Roller Coaster Ron based on his inconsistent results.
Last week was strange to say the least. A reporter asked Rivera why Washington trails the other teams in its division. Rivera’s response was “quarterback.” That’s it. “Quarterback.” As if the Commanders have an All-Star team and QB is the only thing holding them back. Then, after throwing his quarterback under the bus, Rivera made fiery comments on behalf of Carson Wentz. So he’s the one who initially criticized Wentz, basically said guys like Giants QB Daniel Jones and Cowboys QB Cooper Rush were better, then got really ticked off when other people had the audacity to criticize Wentz. That’s just silly.
And don’t blame a lack of talent in Washington either. Rivera has final say on all personnel decisions. So really, when the reporter asked why other NFC East teams are better and Rivera said “quarterback,” he actually was saying “me.” Rivera is the one who traded three draft picks for an underperforming QB (who is now out 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on his broken ring finger). It’s Rivera’s fault.
Ron Rivera is the Tim Tebow of NFL head coaches. Of course Rivera is better as a coach than Tebow was as an NFL quarterback. That isn’t the comparison I’m making. What’s similar between the two is that many people have a hard time separating the person from the performance. They admire Tebow and Rivera, and in turn, they aren’t nearly as harsh with their critiques as they are with other QBs or head coaches they don’t care about as much.
Rivera isn’t good at his job. That’s the truth. He isn’t a difference-maker. Bill Belichick is winning games with a third-string rookie quarterback and a Patriots roster that lacks top talent. The Pats have outscored opponents 67-15 the last two weeks. What do you think the chances are of Rivera doing the same?
Yet somehow it typically turns into a but-fest with Rivera. Most people make excuses on his behalf. “But Washington’s ownership is terrible. But they don’t have a great quarterback. But it was too windy and the hot dog vendor is the real problem.” But, but, but. You hardly hear any negativity directed at Rivera. Why?
The real reason Rivera isn’t widely criticized is simply because the guy is likable. He beat cancer. He’s highly respected. He seems like a really good dude and a nice guy. Hell, I like him too. A lot. But I’m not going to let that sway my opinion of what I think about his performance.
That isn’t a mainstream thought process. A lot of people start with, “Do I like this person or not?” and then start to fill in the gaps from there. It’s the reason most people used to foam at the mouth when talking about Alex Rodriguez and shrugged their shoulders when it came to David Ortiz. Both guys cheated while hitting a bunch of home runs, but Big Papi is much more likable and gets a free pass.
By the way, A-Rod got criticized when Cameron Diaz fed him popcorn at the Super Bowl. Let that sink in for a second. He got criticized for that. Do you know how awesome that is? A-Rod reached the mountaintop and got lambasted for it. Do you think Derek Jeter would’ve gotten anything but a standing ovation if the same thing happened to him? It’s all about likability. People like Jeter. A-Rod has never been remotely close to that likability level.
There are a lot of similarities in sports radio. Many listeners start with, “Do I like this host?” and then start to form their opinions about the performance from there. That’s why maintaining likability matters so much.
It reminds me of when I used to fill in for JT the Brick at FOX Sports Radio. I did some shows with Tomm Looney who is an awesome dude. Looney and I wouldn’t go at each other’s throats, but occasionally we would get wound up and animated about a subject. I’ll never forget the producer, Aaron Larsuel, saying in my ear while we were in mid-debate, “Maintain your likability.” That was one of the things he preached the most. And he was so right. Likability is vitally important.
The real question is, how do you become more likable as a host? Sure, there are things that typically work like laughing at yourself, admitting when you’re wrong and being self-deprecating. But I think the real answer is to figure out what makes you likable, and just do more of it.
People can tell when someone is intentionally doing things to be more likable. It’s unnatural. You might resemble Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson who desperately does things to be more likable and it just doesn’t work.
Instead of trying to be something you’re not, just be more of what you naturally are. Take Charles Barkley for instance. What makes the TNT analyst so likable? He’s hilarious, makes fun of himself and is unapologetically opinionated. When Barkley emphasizes those strengths even more, his likability just continues to grow. It’s a better approach than if Barkley worked to become a better interviewer or learned NBA rosters inside and out. That stuff wouldn’t make him more likable. And he knows it.
The Washington Commanders are going nowhere fast. Ron Rivera might lose his job soon. There aren’t many people that will say he should be fired because they like the guy and they’re rooting for him. The argument isn’t whether Rivera should stay or go. The real takeaway is that the power of likability can earn you a free pass when you don’t deserve it.
Lastly, consider this: Mike McCarthy is the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Think of what the reaction would be if McCarthy was instead the head man in Washington with a 16-23 overall record. He would be getting crushed right now. Obliterated. He isn’t as popular or likable. That’s how it works. Rivera is a great example of how much likability matters. It can be your best friend and the asset that bails you out of tough spots. If likability works for Rivera, it can work for you too.
Brian Noe is a columnist for BSM and an on-air host heard nationwide on FOX Sports Radio’s Countdown To Kickoff. Previous roles include stops in Portland, OR, Albany, NY and Fresno, CA. You can follow him on Twitter @TheNoeShow or email him at bnoe@premierenetworks.com.
