The Next Head Coach

[Kevin Greene]

Welcome, nice first post.

[rayzor]

Let me add 4 more coaching canidates (2 new and 2 in the original post):

RETREAD:

Mike Nolan - He failed with the 49ers, largely because his first draft pick (QB-Alex Smith) failed, and his draft pick of 3-4 OLB-Manny Lawson was injured more often than he was healthy. The burden of his top offensive and defensive play makers not working out was the major reason for his failure. He grew up in the NFL, with his father Dick as both an NFL Head Coach and as an assistant. He has loads of NFL experience himself as both an offensive (WR's) and defensive (DC) assistant, besides being a Head Coach. This may not be as important, but he presents a great image, always wearing a suite, very energetic and a great public image.

Nolan is now the Broncos Defensive Coordinator, and so far has turned one of the worst defenses in the NFL completely around in only one season. Under Nolan, the Broncos have 8 new starters on their defense, and so far have only allowed 26 points in their first 4 games. Wouldn't it be great if he could come in and turn the Panthers defense around like that next year.

Cam Cameron - He was a huge failure as the Dolphins Head Coach, lasting only one season, but he has shown that he can develop young QB's (Rivers and Flacco). As the Offensive Coordinator of the Ravens, his rookie QB went further into the playoffs than ever before, and in Flacco's 2nd season, he has him looking like a Pro Bowl QB.

ASSISTANTS:

Brian Schottenheimer - He's the Offensive Coordinator for the Jets, and has been for a few years, with various levels of success. He's had to work with a new QB each of the last 3 years (Pennington, Farve, and Scanchez). One very important factor for the Panthers is that he's proving with Scanchez that he can not only develop a young QB, but win with him as well. Much of the talk has focused on his father Marty as a possible Head Coach, but maybe it could be a package deal. like the Kiffin's at Tennessee.

College Head Coaches:

Jim Harbaugh - He's played QB in the NFL, helped his dad recruit players at Western Kentucky, and is a very successful Head Coach at Sanford. His career at Sanford has just about topped out, and he's taken the program about as high as it can go. Talk is that Al Davis wants him to coach the Raiders, but would he be crazy enough to work for Al? His brother John has done a great job with the Ravens.

i love the harbaugh choice....not liking nolan and cameron, though. those guys are the type that should only be coordinators. they are great in that role but can't/won't succeed at HC.

[Ravens_5_52]

i love the harbaugh choice....not liking nolan and cameron, though. those guys are the type that should only be coordinators. they are great in that role but can't/won't succeed at HC.

I also would prefer if Joe Flacco stays under one offensive system as well.

Don't worry just like my first post states, I think you'll get Bill Cowher and you guys will be in good shape though Leslie Frazier the Vikings D would be a better option since he is younger. Or how would you fans like Cowher as your head coach and Frazier has your D coordinator.... that would be great once you get the right players in place.

[rayzor]

I also would prefer if Joe Flacco stays under one offensive system as well.

Don't worry just like my first post states, I think you'll get Bill Cowher and you guys will be in good shape though Leslie Frazier the Vikings D would be a better option since he is younger. Or how would you fans like Cowher as your head coach and Frazier has your D coordinator.... that would be great once you get the right players in place.

i was talking about jim harbaugh.

also, no retreads. no cowher.

[Purity-Control]

Let me add 4 more coaching canidates (2 new and 2 in the original post):

RETREAD:

Mike Nolan - He failed with the 49ers, largely because his first draft pick (QB-Alex Smith) failed, and his draft pick of 3-4 OLB-Manny Lawson was injured more often than he was healthy. The burden of his top offensive and defensive play makers not working out was the major reason for his failure. He grew up in the NFL, with his father Dick as both an NFL Head Coach and as an assistant. He has loads of NFL experience himself as both an offensive (WR's) and defensive (DC) assistant, besides being a Head Coach. This may not be as important, but he presents a great image, always wearing a suite, very energetic and a great public image.

You kind of killed your Pro Nolan statement with the first few lines yeah Alex Smith was a bust among Others like 1rd choice Kentwan Balmer. I don't want him nowhere near a Panther war room

And like his father he was Fired after wallowing in mediocrity for a few years

Who cares if he wears a suit this isn't college were you have to impress boosters only thing NFL fans care about are wins. The new coach could wear a pink jumpsuit and a white fedora for all i care

Major reason he failed was not Lawson/smith or the offense/defense it was he was a poor coach who made very poor personnel and staff decisions. Singletary has the the same roster and is doing wonders.

[weyco2000]

Anyone who doesn't:

1) Chew gum.

2) Clap his hands after every play, good or bad.

3) Say "It is what it blahhblahhblahh.

4) Keep Peppers.

5) Keep playing "Shakey Jake"

6) Run the ball on 2nd and 20, then throw it on 3rd and 18.

7) Plays "cover 2" defense (or trys anyways)

8) Plays his "corners" 15 yards off the ball.

9) Refuses to pressure the QB.

10) Trade away 1st round picks.

[Mr. Scot]

Although I know this might not be the best time, I decided to revisit this thread to make a few additions.

Winston Moss was a name I'd heard but didn't think of when conceiving this thread. Magnus mentioned him and spurred me to do more research. Could be worth a look. He fits the 'defensive coach' mold and has had some history of success. And not that these things actually matter, but he'd also be one of the few former players currently coaching and if hired here would be the first black head coach in the Panthers short history.

Mike Zimmer was a name I seriously considered adding to the original mix but didn't because he'd dropped off a lot of people's radar following the Petrino debacle in Atlanta. He's getting attention again, partially for good reasons (Bengals defense) and partially for sad ones (the sudden, unexpected death of his wife).

Updates on some others:

I'm really starting to rethink Rex Ryan for a lot of reasons. I know some are rethinking Rivera too, though I have to say a lot of the Charger issues could trace to the loss of Jamal Williams for the season (3-4 schemes really need that dominant NT). And anyone wanting an emotional coach would certainly have enjoyed watching him rip his guys on the sidelines against the Steelers a few weeks back.

(for the record, the "emotional coach" persona isn't high on my priority list)

On the retread front, Tony Dungy turned down a chance to play a 'consultant' role with his old team, the Bucs. His tone makes it sound like he's pretty happy in his role as a broadcaster and isn't feeling "the itch". That could change, but I have a feeling he's going to stay retired.

Of my original choices, I'm starting to pay more attention to Leslie Frazier. The one worry I have there is that he's got what's arguably the best defensive line in football and a superior corner in Antoine Winfield. Hence the question of "coaching or personnel" comes to mind (it does with a lot of guys, honestly).

That's one reason why I'm looking more at Mike Zimmer lately. Try this little exercise: Name a player on the Bengals defense. Bengal offense? Sure. Defense? Look 'em up and you probably still won't recognize a fair number of the names. The ones you do recognize you probably didn't know were playing for the Bengals. He's doing it mostly with guys that aren't household names. And if you look at his history, it isn't the first time. That's at least somewhat worth noting.

Still, as the season goes on, expect the ideas of who's good and who's not to continue to flow and evolve.

And again, keep in mind that it's far from a lock that we'll even be looking for a new head coach next season.

(haven't had time to do more GM research; I'll get to it)

[Mr. Scot]

Just because someone asked what these guys looked like...

Ron Rivera

Rob Ryan (pictured previously)

Leslie Frazier

Russ Grimm

Sean McDermott

Keith Butler

Winston Moss

Mike Zimmer

[mountainpantherfan]

Mr. Scot you took my thunder. I haven't had a chance to post it since Sunday but I was going to add Zimmer to the list. I really like him and agree that his track record speaks for itself.

I also like the addition of Winston Moss but I also like the idea of Kevin Green as well. I think both would be a little to raw at this point though.

I hadn't said this before but Frazier was at the top of my list but my gut was holding me back from saying anything and I think it's because of the exact reason you stated, personel vs. coaching. And it's not even like this was a defense that he built.

As for Nolan, I don't think he would be a great match for Carolina at this point but I also don't think it's a gaurente he would fail again as a HC. Just like in any profession knowing and learning your weaknesses and then adjusting your style to minimize the effects of those weaknesses is what makes one a good employee. If Nolan was to be set up with a great talent oriented GM I think his performance would greatly improve as a HC. I think there are other issues with him as a HC but in San Fran a lot of the issues stemmed from not just the coach but from the front office.

[frash.exe]

Who cares if he wears a suit this isn't college were you have to impress boosters only thing NFL fans care about are wins.

yea do people realize belichick dresses like a Somalian for the games? I'm not concerned much about it either.

I'm still keeping mcdermott on the top of my watch list. I think attacking 4-3s are on the rise, and we already have a good blitzing linebacker in davis. The only problem is he's blown his only shot at some real competition so far, he'll need to redeem himself against some of the better offenses

[thefuzz]

Not sure about Rivera.

His D in San Diego is killing them right now. However he is in his first full season as DC, learning a 3-4, and lost the most important defensive player for a 3-4.

Tough road, no doubt, but I would want to wait another season or so.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I am not ready to hang up my belief in Fox just yet but, following the logic of this thread.

We need a Young defensive minded HC. Many, too many teams are using the dink and dunk method to eat a defense up. The best way to fight that is GET TO THE QB. You cannot sit back with 7 yd cushion and hope the D-Line gets to the QB. Which is why any of the Young Agressive DC out there would do.

If I am going to take a Retread it would be between Cowher and Shanahan. If we are going to scrap everyone and start anew then I would probably be in favor of Shanahan. I don't think we will do that. We have quite a few solid player on offense and I think we already have the type of Talent Cowher likes. So for me. Bill Cowher is my #1 choice.

Go Panthers

[Mr. Scot]

Not sure about Rivera.

His D in San Diego is killing them right now. However he is in his first full season as DC, learning a 3-4, and lost the most important defensive player for a 3-4.

Tough road, no doubt, but I would want to wait another season or so.

Brings up a question from an article I read questioning Rivera's ability to coach 3-4.

Is it important to have a coach who can adapt to coaching multiple systems (3-4, 4-3, etc) or is having a coach who is a winner using a single system good enough?

[Sultan33g]

Brings up a question from an article I read questioning Rivera's ability to coach 3-4.

Is it important to have a coach who can adapt to coaching multiple systems (3-4, 4-3, etc) or is having a coach who is a winner using a single system good enough?

It is important to have a coach win games regardless of scheme..If you cant teach the players to execute any scheme and have the passion and drive to pull through adversity then you are worthless as a coach.