Teddy is here because of...

[Jeremy Igo]

Evan Cooper.

 

Yesterday on his conference call Matt Rhule said Cooper was very influential in bringing Teddy in. Rhule said "Coop" kept hounding him on how well Teddy could do in this offense.

Cooper is the current Panthers cornerbacks coach.

Here is his bio from Panthers.com 

Evan Cooper comes to the Panthers as the cornerbacks coach after spending the past three seasons on head coach Matt Rhule's staff at Baylor.

Most recently, Cooper spent the last two years serving as an assistant cornerbacks coach for the Bears, as well as the team's recruiting coordinator. With Coopers' assistance, the Bears defense finished third in the nation in interceptions (17) and second in turnovers gained (30), and cornerback Grayland Arnold ranked fifth in the country in interceptions (6). Cooper also spent time helping coach the defensive line. As a recruiting coordinator, Cooper helped Baylor secure three straight top-35 recruiting classes during Rhule's tenure in Waco.

Prior to working with Baylor as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, Cooper served as the team's director of player personnel during the 2017 season – a role he had previously held under Rhule at Temple during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Cooper spent the first half of 2015 with the University of Miami before returning to Temple.

In 2013, Cooper was a part of Rhule's initial staff at Temple as a graduate assistant, working with the defense, before being promoted to director of external operations in 2014.

As a player, Cooper was a four-year letterwinner for the Owls from 2005-2008. As a senior, Cooper had 44 tackles, including 31 solos, three break-ups, and two forced fumbles, earning the 2008 Carlos Diaz Award as the most improved player following his final season.

Cooper received his degree in sport and recreation management from Temple in 2009.

PLAYING CAREER

• 2005-08 | Temple University

COACHING CAREER

• 2013 | Temple University | Graduate Assistant
• 2014 | Temple University | Director of External Operations
• 2015 | University of Miami
• 2015-16 | Temple University | Director of Player Personnel
• 2017 | Baylor University | Director of Player Personnel
• 2018-19 | Baylor University | Assistant Cornerbacks/Recruiting Coordinator
• 2020-pres | Carolina Panthers | Cornerbacks

 

 

Seems like a rising star in the organization and someone to keep an eye on. Looking at his resume, seems like a solid football mind that Rhule wants to have around. He will find a way to get him on board wherever he goes.

 

 

 

[Jeremy Igo]

He also in no way mentioned Hurney in the discussion, tells me how much input he had.

[therealmjl]

He's definitely getting the most out of Rasul Douglas...and even Corn Elder's game has improved.

[Jeremy Igo]

2 minutes ago, therealmjl said:

He's definitely getting the most out of Rasul Douglas...and even Corn Elder's game has improved.

Making the most of his first NFL job. Could ride the ranks quickly here. Wonder if he will stick with coaching or move to front office. Might be a new Brandon Beane to mentor as a future GM.

[raz]

could he be any more handsome?  i don't think so

[Monrowed]

1 minute ago, Jeremy Igo said:

He also in no way mentioned Hurney in the discussion, tells me how much input he had.

So a coach on the defense had more influence than the offensive coordinator, or the GM for who our quarterback was going to be?

Yeah..I am not buying that stock...

[raz]

Just now, Monrowed said:

So a coach on the defense had more influence than the offensive coordinator, or the GM for who our quarterback was going to be?

Yeah..I am not buying that stock...

he'd have your pants off in 5 seconds.   (sorry bro i'm in a mood evidently)

[Jeremy Igo]

1 minute ago, Monrowed said:

So a coach on the defense had more influence than the offensive coordinator, or the GM for who our quarterback was going to be?

Yeah..I am not buying that stock...

Read his bio. He was Rhule's director of player personnel. 

Apparently he has Rhule's trust. That supercedes any position title.

[Captain Morgan]

could we be grooming him to take over when Brady leaves? 

[BPF]

10 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

He also in no way mentioned Hurney in the discussion, tells me how much input he had.

The sooner we dump him and/or 'promote' him to a position away from GM the better. 

[Jeremy Igo]

I like what Rhule does. He finds real football guys. Guys passionate and excited about the game. Give him a guy like that and he will find a position for them somewhere. 

[nctarheelreincarnated]

11 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Making the most of his first NFL job. Could ride the ranks quickly here. Wonder if he will stick with coaching or move to front office. Might be a new Brandon Beane to mentor as a future GM.

Just don't let him go to another team, when our current GM is ass. 

[Cam's New Arm]

11 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

I like what Rhule does. He finds real football guys. Guys passionate and excited about the game. Give him a guy like that and he will find a position for them somewhere. 

Get your resume ready, Zod

[MHS831]

27 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

He also in no way mentioned Hurney in the discussion, tells me how much input he had.

Beat me to that point.  Head of recruiting.  One might imagine how tough it was to get top players to go to Baylor (reminds me of a watered-down SMU "death penalty") so he has an eye for talent--but more than that--he can find talent on the clearance rack and at yard sales.  Teddy was a backup, considered a banged up bust.  He was able to see the fit--I know Marty does not have that skill.