Panthers coach interviewed for Cowboys in '07

Published Oct. 17, 2012 7:24 p.m. ET

foxsports

IRVING — Before hiring Wade Phillips as head coach in 2007, Jerry Jones interviewed Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera for the job.

Rivera was the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears at the time. While Jones didn't give Rivera his first head coaching position, he did give the former Bears linebacker a long interview.

"It went from the time I got there to the time it was time to leave," Rivera said Wednesday during a conference call. "We almost forgot to eat. It was great. It was great discussion. His insights into how he runs the team and what he is expecting I thought were outstanding. I really enjoyed it. He and his son Stephen, the two of them really make a dynamic pair as far as what they're trying to do and what they want to accomplish.

"Believe me, he wants the Cowboys to be great. He really does. That's one of the things I took away from my interview with him."

Rivera, who became the Panthers head coach last season, said his meeting with Jones was one of the longest interviews he's had.

"It was great," he added. "When you get an opportunity to sit down and visit with people and you really get to express yourself, I think that's a really good thing."