Person analyzes Rhule's time as Panthers coach

[Mr. Scot]

Joe Person weighs in with some of his takes on Matt Rhule's coaching tenure...and it's end.

It's not a deep dive like the Robinson article, but it does have some good insights.

Here's the link (subscription required):

Matt Rhule's Panthers tenure

Excerpts:

Panthers owner David Tepper likes to make big splashes. He famously bought his former boss’ summer home in the Hamptons for a reported $43.5 million, just to tear it down and build an even bigger, oceanfront mansion.

When the Panthers were looking for a replacement for Ron Rivera in December 2019, Tepper lined up interviews with five candidates with extensive NFL backgrounds and one college coach — Matt Rhule, who had overseen successful rebuilds at Temple and Baylor (Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald turned down the chance to interview).

...

Tepper was impressed with Rhule and made him a six-year offer — a big commitment for a coach whose only NFL experience was one year as the Giants’ assistant offensive line coach. But as it happened, the Giants also were interested in Rhule and had sent a private plane to Waco for Rhule’s interview in New York.

Tepper made sure he never got on the plane. The hedge fund manager with a net worth of $18.5 billion added another year to the Panthers’ offer to make it seven years and $62 million, an unprecedented contract for a first-year NFL head ccoach.

...

“I knew what his contract was down at Baylor,” Tepper told reporters after Rhule’s introductory press conference in January 2020. “I’ve been telling you guys, again and again, I want to be the best.”

On Monday, Tepper pulled the plug on Rhule with more than four years and $40 million remaining on that contract.

...

His Panthers tenure will be remembered for a few things, including the abundance of Temple and Baylor coaches and players Rhule surrounded himself with and his failure to find a franchise quarterback.

...

Aside from Newton’s health, there were concerns that his super-sized personality would be a bad fit for a first-year coach trying to change the culture of a franchise that needed an overhaul after trying to extend its championship window as long as possible.

A day after releasing Newton on March 24, 2020, the Panthers signed journeyman Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63 million deal. Bridgewater had been in New Orleans with then-offensive assistant Joe Brady and was viewed as a “bridge quarterback” for the Panthers until they netted their franchise quarterback.

...

But Rhule, whose contract also gave him final say on the 53-man roster, kept burning down those bridges. First it was Bridgewater, then Sam Darnold and finally Baker Mayfield — each managing to play a little worse than the guy he succeeded.

...

Rhule believed Mayfield was an upgrade over Darnold, but through five games, the former Browns starter ranks last in the league in completion percentage and passer rating. He has yet to practice this week because of a high ankle sprain, leaving P.J. Walker — Rhule’s quarterback at Temple — as the likely starter Sunday against the Rams.

Walker is among a dozen or so former Temple and Baylor players who were on the Panthers’ roster during Rhule’s tenure. The coaching staff had a similar makeup, although interim coach Steve Wilks’ first moves were to fire two of Rhule’s longtime assistants, defensive coordinator Phil Snow and special teams assistant Ed Foley.

...

The Panthers had a top-10 pick every year since Rhule arrived but opted not to use one on a quarterback. They liked Oregon’s Justin Herbert in 2020 but didn’t want to give up the draft capital it would take to trade up for him. He went to the Chargers at No. 6, one pick before the Panthers took defensive tackle Derrick Brown. The Panthers passed on Mac Jones and Justin Fields with the No. 8 pick in 2021 and did not view Kenny Pickett as worthy of the seventh selection this year, instead trading up in the third round to draft Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, who’s out for the year following September foot surgery. Carolina is scheduled to make just four picks in what is perceived to be a quarterback-rich 2023 draft, with picks in the first, second, fourth and fifth rounds.

Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer has said the best plan with quarterbacks is to draft and develop one. But under Rhule, the Panthers continued to reach, hoping they would hit on a franchise leader through free agency or a trade.

...

Like many former college coaches, Rhule wanted his hands on every facet of the football side of the organization, according to team officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. That meant being concerned about everything from the training room and strength program to the team’s digital media team.

It took Rhule time to learn how to communicate with NFL players rather than 18- to 20-year-olds. The COVID restrictions didn’t help.

“I think Matt’s a very relational guy when it comes to the players,” veteran long snapper J.J. Jansen said. “And that connection — being able to be close to guys and be around guys — probably (Rhule) would have liked to have been in an environment where he could’ve made closer, one-on-one connections with players earlier, because I think that’s really where he thrives, in getting to know guys and being around guys.”

...

Some of Rhule’s practice routines and motivational methods stayed with him from college. He would occasionally make the team run wind sprints during training camp when trying to make a point. That was the case this past summer after receiver Rashard Higgins, a free-agent acquisition during the offseason, celebrated by extending the ball across the goal line as he crossed it.

“We’re not a team that reaches the ball across the goal line,” Rhule said afterward.

...

But some players said Rhule became more receptive to their input over the past year. He changed practice schedules this year to give players more recovery time. He sought input from team leaders, according to offensive lineman Cam Erving. And when COVID restrictions eased last season, Rhule had different position groups to his home for Thursday night dinners with his family.

“That’s one of the things he took from college and brought up here, and it was amazing,” Erving said. “To be able to leave the building and go to your head coach’s house and hang out with his family, just get to know them (and have) smart conversations.”

...

Jansen, the team’s longest-tenured player, said Rhule’s communication with players improved over his two-plus seasons.

“I think college kids, where you’re sort of entrusted with their security for four or five years, there’s a different kind of relationship than when you come in the NFL,” Jansen said. “I think as each month and season progressed, he got more and more comfortable with what (NFL) players need from their coaches and how players will respond to those sorts of things.”

...

But according to some in the organization, there were other times Rhule seemed to be unaware of how his actions would be perceived.

A week or two before the Panthers’ Week 14 bye week in 2021, Rhule told players he was headed out of town during the week off and encouraged them to get away, too. After a 23-point loss at Miami on Nov. 28 dropped the Panthers to 5-7, Rhule kept his travel plans, as did others in the organization. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Joe Brady and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan spent part of the bye week at the stadium watching tape and meeting with Newton, who had re-signed three weeks earlier and was trying to get up to speed with the offense.

...

Rhule returned to Charlotte to watch Pickett, then the quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh, play in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday night. The following morning, Rhule fired Brady, the former LSU passing game coordinator whose hiring as part of Rhule’s initial Panthers staff generated buzz throughout college and pro football.

Some players and staff members had no issue with Rhule getting away during the bye. “I don’t have a problem with that at all,” Erving said. “He worked hard and deserved it.” But others took issue given the Panthers’ struggles — they would lose their last five games after the bye week (and seven in a row) to finish 5-12 — and the fate that awaited Brady once Rhule returned.

“It’s just not a good look,” said a team source who was not authorized by the team to speak on the subject. “Why not (fire Brady) Monday before he left? Why string him along for that extra week?”

...

San Francisco fans took over Bank of America Stadium in Matt Rhule’s final game coaching the Panthers. (Jim Dedmon / USA Today)
Rhule entered the 2022 season on the hottest of seats, and fan reaction grew toxic as the Panthers started 1-4 this year, with chants of “Fire Matt Rhule” ringing throughout Bank of America Stadium the last two home games. Jansen had a bad feeling listening to the boos and chants Sunday, when a huge contingent of 49ers fans took over the stadium.

“Just the vibe of the stadium, you couldn’t help but sort of wonder or worry,” he said. “The home fans were booing us — and rightly so. Not playing well, not winning games at home. … You just sort of feel like maybe the energy and the tide is turning.”

...

Tepper didn’t give a specific reason for his decision to move on from Rhule when he did, though he mentioned a lack of intensity during the 49ers game he hadn’t noticed before, the first suggestion of a malaise perhaps beginning to creep in. There was an air of inevitability when Rhule talked to the media after the loss. The sense of dread also permeated the locker room, where all but a handful of players had cleared out.

In what turned out to be his final Panthers press conference Sunday night, Rhule was asked what his message was to his players.

“That it’s not good enough and has to get better,” Rhule said. “But you always stick together in life. Who you are in these moments is who you are.”

Edited October 14, 2022 by Mr. Scot

[Samppson]

14 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

But according to some in the organization, there were other times Rhule seemed to be unaware of how his actions would be perceived.

A week or two before the Panthers’ Week 14 bye week in 2021, Rhule told players he was headed out of town during the week off and encouraged them to get away, too. After a 23-point loss at Miami on Nov. 28 dropped the Panthers to 5-7, Rhule kept his travel plans, as did others in the organization. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Joe Brady and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan spent part of the bye week at the stadium watching tape and meeting with Newton, who had re-signed three weeks earlier and was trying to get up to speed with the offense.

...

Rhule returned to Charlotte to watch Pickett, then the quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh, play in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday night. The following morning, Rhule fired Brady, the former LSU passing game coordinator whose hiring as part of Rhule’s initial Panthers staff generated buzz throughout college and pro football.

This part is interesting, I do remember there being a lot of questioning why he waited through the bye week to fire Brady, when he could have given his new OC another full week to prepare for the transition. 

Also, I wonder how Brady felt, working all week to hopefully improve the offense, just for your boss to get back from taking his vacation and can you lol.

[Waldo]

[Khyber53]

So, the long-tenured long snapper that was almost replaced and an offensive lineman that has not panned out at all were the ones willing to speak about Rhule positively.

Okay, let's shut the book and quit reading it. Put it on the shelf and move on. 

 

[Mr. Scot]

This part interests me...

Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer has said the best plan with quarterbacks is to draft and develop one. But under Rhule, the Panthers continued to reach, hoping they would hit on a franchise leader through free agency or a trade.

We had heard that there was debate last year among team leadership regarding drafting a quarterback. Most of us interpreted that as Tepper wanting to go the draft route with Justin Fields but Rhule and Fitterer being against it.

I'm now wondering if Fitterer might have wanted to draft a QB. Maybe Fields, maybe someone else, but a QB either way.

[Jackie Lee]

He did Joe Brady dirty. Also who cares about Cam Ervings opinion, he's outta here asap. I know he's excited about getting paid double his value to ride the bench. 

[Mr. Scot]

12 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

So, the long-tenured long snapper that was almost replaced and an offensive lineman that has not panned out at all were the ones willing to speak about Rhule positively.

Okay, let's shut the book and quit reading it. Put it on the shelf and move on. 

Jansen's comments seemed more analytical to me.

[Jackie Lee]

The Rhule vacation thing is so lame. So you go on vacation knowing that you're going to fire the OC and that you have Cam who needs to get caught up asap. Instead of at the least firing Brady before hand so Nixon or whoever can spend a week with him, you do it the Monday after vacation, wasting Brady's time, and giving Nixon only a day and a half to get a game and practice plan together for that Wednesday. Sounds like that whole situation kicked off half the guys not buying in and the 7 game skid

[AggieLean]

This is probably what Cam was speaking to when he made his comments after his last season in Carolina. He said something like he didn’t recognize the team anymore. 

[PghPanther]

Panthers owner David Tepper likes to make big splashes. He famously bought his former boss’ summer home in the Hamptons for a reported $43.5 million, just to tear it down and build an even bigger, oceanfront mansion.

The actions of a narcissistic sociopathic ego........using money as the biggest swinging dong in the room..........another Jerry Jones owner in the NFL if there ever was one. 

 

[3838]

24 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

This part interests me...

Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer has said the best plan with quarterbacks is to draft and develop one. But under Rhule, the Panthers continued to reach, hoping they would hit on a franchise leader through free agency or a trade.

We had heard that there was debate last year among team leadership regarding drafting a quarterback. Most of us interpreted that as Tepper wanting to go the draft route with Justin Fields but Rhule and Fitterer being against it.

I'm now wondering if Fitterer might have wanted to draft a QB. Maybe Fields, maybe someone else, but a QB either way.

We can all read in to this what we want, IMHO (FWIW) is Rhule had no idea on how to draft a pro QB.

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, 3838 said:

We can all read in to this what we want, IMHO (FWIW) is Rhule had no idea on how to draft a pro QB.

He seems to have had the same attitude John Fox did on that front.

Fox didn't want to draft and develop a quarterback. He was only interested in signing one somebody else had already developed.

It's a strange attitude for an NFL coach, and not a common one, but there are examples.

On the flipside, Fitterer has been very vocal about drafting and developing a QB as the right approach. Listening to him this offseason, it almost sounded like he was pleading a case.

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

4 minutes ago, 3838 said:

We can all read in to this what we want, IMHO (FWIW) is Rhule had no idea on how to draft a pro QB.

seeing how he treated Corral in this past offseason, any QB we end up drafting would not thrive under Rhule

[Jackie Lee]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

He seems to have had the same attitude John Fox did on that front.

Fox didn't want to draft and develop a quarterback. He was only interested in signing one somebody else had already developed.

It's a strange attitude for an NFL coach, and not a common one, but there are examples.

On the flipside, Fitterer has been very vocal about drafting and developing a QB as the right approach. Listening to him this offseason, it almost sounded like he was pleading a case.

 I think Darnold was supposed to be Rhule's "Developmental young QB", "he was the same age as the guys in the draft, he just needs a new environment", etc..