Carolina Panthers reward Ron Rivera with rich extension

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera had his contract extended through the 2018 season and his salary will now top $6 million per season.

Rivera apparently reached agreement on the deal sometime during the spring. The new pact makes him among the highest-paid coaches in the league.

Seattle's Pete Carroll and New Orleans' Sean Payton reportedly make around $8 million a season and New England's Bill Belichick makes approximately $7.5 million.

Rivera coached the Panthers to an NFL-best 15-1 record last season. Carolina reached the Super Bowl before losing to the Denver Broncos.

Rivera was named NFL Coach of the Year for the second time in three seasons. He has a 47-32-1 record in five seasons with the Panthers.

Rivera unsuccessfully interviewed for nine different NFL coaching jobs before the Panthers hired him.