Ron Rivera, the new head coach for the Carolina Panthers, opens up a bit to Dan Pompei (on behalf of National Football Post) about his previous experiences working under Lovie and with Buddy Ryan and Jim Johnson.

When you think Lovie, you think, emotionless, cold, 'nice guy', exterior. And to you, and I, and most who can watch press conferences, that's what we see.

"Being around Lovie Smith, I took some things from him. I told coach Smith I learned so much from him by the way he had me do things. I learned a lot of football."

"Doing Things".  Yes, vague as can be, but I think it's a bit relevant in the way he handles the ship that you're teaching advanced football, you're goal is to make your players smart and play well. Disciplined football? Possibly, but it's one of those nuggets you'd rather not dismiss as being "trivial" as pointing out the routine as being important can explain much.

Another one of them would be the following, which compares Wanny to Reid to Lovie to Turner.

 As an assistant, he has worked for men who go about the job in different ways. "I’ve been fortunate to be around four guys with unique styles," He said. "I had the very personable, likeable, get to know your guys style of a Dave Wannstedt, to the CEO style of an Andy Reid, to the demanding, I want real men, hold you accountable style of Lovie, to the very imaginative Norv Turner. I’ve learned from all those personalities."

"Demanding, I want real men, hold you accountable".

What type of locker room does Lovie run? Is this all consistent with what players say, what now, ex-coordinators say? Pretty much. The man may act like he's in a staring contest with a brick wall, but, demanding? Whoda thunk. Soft spoken, yes, but what does this mean coming from Rivera? The locker room is Lovie's. The chain of command is Lovie's. What goes on on the field? That's his too. Clamouring for accountability on the field should be the mantra for fans, players, and coaches alike. Expect a Lovie Smith team to run with consistency.

Regardless, heaps of praise to Rivera in his new gig in Carolina... may it be the first of many.