The Carolina Panthers have announced that they have handed a three-year contract extension to head coach Ron Rivera.

Rivera guided the club to a 12-4 season and their first appearance in the playoffs since the 2008 campaign, where they were defeated in the divisional round by the San Francisco 49ers.

"The improvement of our team has been reflected in the progress of the record over the last three seasons under Ron, and we look forward to building upon that foundation," owner Jerry Richardson told the club's official website.

Rivera has been with the Panthers since the 2011 season and has a 25-23 record at the club.