San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is meeting with Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson today, and is expected to be announced as head coach on Tuesday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Acee notes that the Panthers are the ninth team the 49-year old Rivera has interviewed for since 2006.

After playing nine years in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Rivera began his post-playing career in broadcasting before entering the coaching world in 1996. Rivera coached the Philadelphia Eagles linebackers for five seasons before returning to the Bears as defensive coordinator in 2004.

Rivera joined the Chargers as a linebackers coach in 2007, and took over coordinator duties midway through the 2008 season. San Diego ranked 25th in total defense in 2008, but improved to 16th in 2009 before leading the NFL in total defense (271.6 yards allowed per game) and pass defense (177.8 yards allowed) in 2010.