Ron Rivera has said that the Carolina Panthers have been on a long journey since he was named head coach in 2011.

The 52-year-old was named coach of the year after guiding the Panthers to the NFC South title.

He told ESPN: "I do feel a lot of pride because it has been a long journey, but it also was a part of the process. Just like us getting to where we are winning 12 games was part of the process.

"We started, the team was 2-14 before I got there and we went to 6-10 and then 7-9, and this year we broke through at 12-4. It was part of the process of growing and developing."

The Panthers played in the divisional round of the playoffs, but were knocked out by the San Francisco 49ers.