Carolina’s Ron Rivera wins Coach of Year for 2nd time

Rivera was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year while Rodgers was selected for the Bridgestone Performance Play of the Year.

The first-round draft pick (10th overall) earned 27 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the NFL. Fellow QBs Tom Brady, a two-time MVP, and Carson Palmer each got one vote.

He also led a defense that finished sixth in both yards and points allowed per game this season, while the offense paced the league in points per game (31.2) despite playing without star receiver Kelvin Benjamin, whom it lost because of injury, for the entire season. His 636 yards on the ground easily led all QBs, and the 10 touchdowns rushing were more than All-Pro running back Doug Martin of Tampa Bay scored.

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera watches game action against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field.

The award was presented Saturday night during NFL Honors.

This is the second time in three years that Rivera has won the award and is now one of 12 coaches to win the award multiple times.

He will have a chance to add to his resume with a win in Super Bowl 50 when the Carolina Panthers take on the Denver Broncos.

Watt also became just the second player to win the award in consecutive seasons since former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who is also the only other person to claim the award three times.