LAKE FOREST, Ill. – When the Cowboys filled the NFL’s final head-coaching vacancy by hiring Wade Phillips last Thursday, it appeared that Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera would have to wait at least one more year to vie for a top job.

Ron Rivera has already interviewed for five NFL head-coaching jobs since the end of the regular season.

But another opportunity has suddenly emerged.

The San Diego Chargers, who unexpectedly fired Marty Schottenheimer Monday night after a 14-2 season, have requested and received permission from the Bears to interview Rivera.

The Chargers will be the sixth NFL team to speak with Rivera about a head-coaching position since the end of the regular season. He interviewed with the Cowboys last week after previously meeting with the Cardinals, Dolphins, Falcons and Steelers during the week leading up to the wildcard round of the playoffs.

Rivera was prohibited from speaking to any teams from Jan. 6 until the Bears completed the playoffs, which hurt his chances to land a top job.

In three seasons on Lovie Smith’s staff, Rivera has guided one of the NFL’s top defenses. The unit scored a franchise-record and NFC-high six TDs in 2004, led the NFL in points allowed and ranked second in total yards in 2005 and topped the league with 44 takeaways in 2006.

A Bears linebacker for nine seasons from 1984-92, Rivera returned to the team in 2004 after spending the previous five years as linebackers coach under Andy Reid with the Eagles. Rivera began his coaching career as a defensive quality control assistant with the Bears under Dave Wannstedt in 1997-98.

Rivera’s contract with the Bears expires later this month.