Please Mr Richardson, no retreads

[Lout]

Call me a homer but I feel like this team is similar to the Bucs a few years back....We have a good team that has gone about as far as it can go with the current coach. If we get the right guy to come in and take over - we can go all the way.

It doesn't make Fox a bad guy just like Dungy wasn't a bad guy when he left Tampa.....Fox like Dungy will probably have success somewhere else but the Panthers are too talented to be sitting home for the playoffs this year. We need a coach with enough wisdom to add to the Foundation that is already here - not tear it all down and start over. If it were my franchise....I'd want to give it to a coach with experience in dealing with veteran players and winning big games.

I am interested to know who you think would be the ideal coach for our situation?

[Jangler]

Not all retreads are created equal.

None of the retreads referenced here had won the Super Bowl with their prior team. Only one had even been to a Super Bowl (Vermeil).

Historically, nobody`s ever won it all with a second team after winning it with a first. There are, however, plenty of examples of guys who did okay with their first team and built on that success in their next job.

Sounds like an even better argument for Cowher.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I think Cowher deserves a chance, because the last thing I want his us bailing on him, then he takes off for Tampa. It would all go down hill from there.

[cgarsmoker]

Don't get me wrong, of course a coach will win a super bowl with 2 different teams, but the odd's of it happening are small, as it has never happened before, and that was the basis of my historical comparison. We have the statistical data to show the odds of a coach winning super bowls with 2 different teams is slim, so why should we gamble against the odds?

No RB from Memphis has been on Superbowl winning team so should we get rid of DeAngelo Williams? Only one African American HC has won the Superbowl....Should we eliminate Leslie Frazier from consideration? Why gamble against the odds - right? That just doesn't make sense to me.

I see and understand your point.....but I don't think you can automatically disregard a coach simply because he had success on a different team. We may have to agree to disagree on this one.

[Mr. Scot]

Sounds like an even better argument for Cowher.

Not really. Cowher already has a ring.

Could a coach win another ring with a second team? Sure, but it`s never happened before. As often as not, the coach fails to repeat the success he had with the prior team.

For my part, I`d rather count on something that`s been known to work rather than attempt something that`s never worked anywhere else and hope we`re the first.

Regarding Cowher, I think people get way too caught up in his charisma. He`s a good coach, but not the god he gets made out to be. I`m leary of believing that he`ll rise to the same heights apart from the Steeler support system.

(see also: George Seifert)

[cgarsmoker]

I am interested to know who you think would be the ideal coach for our situation?

I'm not 100% sold yet but I think Cowher is the only obvious upgrade over Fox.....I'm concerned about switching the defense to a 3-4 because it isn't really necessary. I'm on the fence with Gruden.....he has experience taking a team with a good defense and mediocre QB straight to the Superbowl. My concern there is a lot of his players hated him by the end of his time in Tampa. If I couldn't get either of those guys - I'd probably stick with Fox.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

If only Don Shula was available, unfortunatley someone on here would still say no to him to.

[Lout]

I'm not 100% sold yet but I think Cowher is the only obvious upgrade over Fox.....I'm concerned about switching the defense to a 3-4 because it isn't really necessary. I'm on the fence with Gruden.....he has experience taking a team with a good defense and mediocre QB straight to the Superbowl. My concern there is a lot of his players hated him by the end of his time in Tampa. If I couldn't get either of those guys - I'd probably stick with Fox.

How can you possibly be a Cowher supporter after you said, "We need a coach with enough wisdom to add to the Foundation that is already here - not tear it all down and start over". We would effectively revamp our entire defense if we brought Cowher here.

[cgarsmoker]

Not really. Cowher already has a ring.

Could a coach win another ring with a second team? Sure, but it`s never happened before. As often as not, the coach fails to repeat the success he had with the prior team.

For my part, I`d rather count on something that`s been known to work rather than attempt something that`s never worked anywhere else and hope we`re the first.

Regarding Cowher, I think people get way too caught up in his charisma. He`s a good coach, but not the god he gets made out to be.

Every coach and situation is different.....I never would have thought Coughlin would win a Superbowl with NY but he did. Who really knows? The only thing I know for a fact is.....Cowher has a track record of success. He isn't a god, a saint, or a savior....He is a coach with charisma, experience building a winning organization, and the credibility that comes with a Superbowl ring. Can he do it again here? Nobody knows for sure but don't blame people for liking Cowher's charisma.....after this many years with John "Vanilla" Fox - a little flavor (with his winning record) isn't so bad.

[cgarsmoker]

How can you possibly be a Cowher supporter after you said, "We need a coach with enough wisdom to add to the Foundation that is already here - not tear it all down and start over". We would effectively revamp our entire defense if we brought Cowher here.

How do you know that? You assume he would run a 3-4 because that is what he had in Pitt but you are just speculating on what he would do here. He may transition us to a 3-4 over the next few years....who knows?

[Lout]

How do you know that? You assume he would run a 3-4 because that is what he had in Pitt but you are just speculating on what he would do here. He may transition us to a 3-4 over the next few years....who knows?

Cowher has no prior experience running a 4-3.. it is more than speculation. Cowher's preferred base defense is the 3-4. You want a head coach that can come in here and pick up where John Fox left off, but you also want Bill Cowher. It's an oxymoron.

You want to keep our 4-3 defense in place, but want a head coach with absolutely no experience running our base defense. Why on earth would you want that?

[grateflday]

Cowher has no prior experience running a 4-3.. it is more than speculation. Cowher's preferred base defense is the 3-4. You want a head coach that can come in here and pick up where John Fox left off, but you also want Bill Cowher. It's an oxymoron.

You want to keep our 4-3 defense in place, but want a head coach with absolutely no experience running our base defense. Why on earth would you want that?

Not true Cowher hasnt coached a 4-3 defense, he has. I have heard this arguement before that Cowher will have to change the defenses to 3-4 and its not true. I cant recall where he was earlier in his career but Cowher has coached and ran a 4-3.

Plus Cowher would be smart enough to build a defense around the talent already here.

[davos]

I just like the idea of someone relatively young, energetic, and new to the scene. For an inexperienced coach, its good we have such an established squad for the most part. This is because a lot of the time, retreads come in to rebuild and restructure a team. We just need a new swagger with a few additions, hence why Leslie Frazier and Sean McDermott are appealing prospects.

[Miaoww]

I'd like a coach that knows how to game plan. I'm tired of watching the Panthers doing just enough to not lose rather than going out and winning games.

McDaniels is looking awfully good right now in Denver, but that ship has sailed. Cowher is an interesting proposition, but there's something there that doesn't appeal to me.

Either way I'd like Hurney and the Front Office staff to stay. We generally draft very well and manage the cap effectively enough to keep the players we want to. The talent level of the team isn't the issue (besides a lack of WRs behind Smith and of course the all important QB position - though I'm sure Fox assured the FO he was happy with what he had in Delhomme), it's the coaching that's really letting the side down.