CHARLOTTE, N.C. » The Carolina Panthers have entrusted Ron Rivera with turning around the NFL’s worst team, making the San Diego defensive coordinator the second Latino head coach in NFL history.

Rivera was introduced yesterday. He replaces John Fox, who was let go earlier this month after Carolina went 2-14 in his ninth season.

It’s the first head coaching job for the 49-year-old Rivera, who is of Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage. He joins ex-Raiders and Seahawks boss Tom Flores as the only Latino head coaches.

Rivera ran the Chargers’ defense since midway through the 2008 season, with San Diego ranking tops in the NFL in total defense and pass defense this season. The ex-Bears linebacker also was defensive coordinator in Chicago from 2004 to ’06.

"It gives me comfort that he was a former player," said owner Jerry Richardson, a former Baltimore Colts receiver. "He brings an approach and resume that we believe lends itself to success for our football team and organization."

ESPN reported Rivera received a four-year, $11.2 million deal to become the fourth head coach in the franchise’s 16-year history. Fox was 78-74 with a Super Bowl appearance and two other playoff berths, but the team never had consecutive winning seasons and last made the postseason in 2008.

"I want to thank Mr. Richardson for this opportunity," Rivera said.

Despite running a 3-4 defense in San Diego, Rivera said the Panthers will continue to use a 4-3 based on their personnel.

Players say NFL’s 18-game proposal is major hitch

NFL union executive committee members Scott Fujita and Domonique Foxworth say concerns about injuries make the league’s push to switch to an 18-game regular season a major sticking point in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Speaking on a media conference call arranged by the union yesterday, Cleveland linebacker Fujita called the NFL’s 18-game proposal "completely unacceptable" and "like a slap in the face." The current CBA expires in March. Asked if he thinks a lockout is inevitable, Fujita said: "It certainly looks that way to me."

Williams withdraws from Broncos coaching search

Rick Dennison, who spent almost a quarter century with Denver as a linebacker and an assistant coach, arrived at Dove Valley yesterday to interview for its head coaching vacancy.

His arrival came shortly after New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams became the third candidate to spurn the Broncos, withdrawing his name just 24 hours after agreeing to interview for the job.

Last week, Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey canceled his interview and Jim Harbaugh left Stanford for the San Francisco 49ers without granting Denver an audience.

New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and Broncos interim coach Eric Studesville, who went 1-3 after Josh McDaniels’ firing Dec. 6, stated their cases Sunday, and former Carolina coach John Fox gets his chance today.

Saints’ Bush, Thomas ponder futures elsewhere

Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, the stars of the Saints’ backfield when they were Super Bowl champs, are preparing for an offseason of uncertainty that could end with them wearing different uniforms whenever the next football season begins.

Bush is due about $11.8 million next season — the final year of his current contract — and figures there’s little chance the Saints will bring him back at that price.

"Common sense would tell you probably not," Bush said, adding that he might be willing to renegotiate if doing so produces an extension. "We’ll see what happens. We’ll see what we can do and how we can make this thing work."

Thomas’ contract is expiring, although it won’t be clear if he’s a restricted or unrestricted free agent until the NFL and the players’ union reach a new labor agreement.

Browns interview Giants assistant Fewell

The Cleveland Browns have interviewed New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell for their head coach opening.

Fewell is the third known candidate to formally meet with Browns president Mike Holmgren, who fired Eric Mangini last week. The Browns have also interviewed St. Louis offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.

Divisional Playoffs

SATURDAY

» Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 11:30 a.m. (KGMB)
» Green Bay at Atlanta, 3 p.m. (KHON)

SUNDAY

» Seattle at Chicago, 8 a.m. (KHON)
» N.Y. Jets at New England, 11:30 a.m. (KGMB)