Insight into the coaching search from Jonathan Jones

[Mr. Scot]

 

From the article...

Sources believe Tepper will again likely target an offensive-minded head coach, though defense certainly isn't out of the question.

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is at or near the top of Tepper's wish list. He was the No. 1 candidate for Carolina in the last cycle before pulling himself out of the interview process just before his meeting with the Panthers and staying in Detroit.

The Lions have the second-best scoring offense in the NFL, and Johnson is considered to be the top coaching prospect in this year's cycle. He'll be able to be selective, and he'll have options.

...

One name that wasn't a consideration for Carolina last year but may be after these 11 games is Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Multiple sources who spoke with CBS Sports said Harbaugh should be considered a real candidate for the job.

CBS Sports reported last January that Harbaugh or his representation called Tepper with regularity as Carolina searched for a new head coach. Tepper took a call with Harbaugh, sources said, but it was never a job interview.

...

Among the reasons Tepper wasn't interested in Harbaugh was that the team had just fired a coach in Rhule who ran the entire football operation. As it was described by sources, even though Reich's tenure resulted in a 1-10 record, there was no sense of relief in the building when he was fired. The entire building was relieved when Tepper fired Rhule after Week 5 of the 2022 season.

Might Tepper decide to hire the big personality that is Harbaugh? It's possible, and sources have said for weeks that the Michigan coach would entertain a return to the NFL.

Harbaugh has won everywhere he's been in his coaching career. And five years into his ownership, Tepper could set aside whatever fears he may have about Harbaugh to bring in a coach with a proven track record of winning — no matter what.

...

But one source poured cold water on the idea of Harbaugh coming to Carolina.

"He's just as mercurial as Tepper," the source said. "You want a coach that way, too?"

...

Tepper, estimated by Forbes to be worth $20.6 billion, will be able to outspend just about anyone for a head coach. But money may not be enough considering the reputation he's built in the sports world for being impatient.

When he hired Rhule in 2020, Tepper said he hoped Rhule would be his Chuck Noll. Tepper had previously been a minority owner of the Steelers, who famously have had just three head coaches since 1969.

Tepper has owned the team since 2018 and he's about to have his fourth permanent head coach, the third of whom he will have hired.

...

One league source described Carolina's vacancy as a "leverage job," meaning candidates will take the interview as leverage for a more attractive job. Tepper's deep pockets could be used to get many candidates raises at their current jobs or increased offers at their new ones.

But it's still one of 32 jobs. And it's one that has the No. 1 overall pick in Young. And it's one that will pay quite well.

Edited December 2, 2023 by Mr. Scot

[OldhamA]

Fire. Fitterer.

[Mr. Scot]

Interesting passage...

As it was described by sources, even though Reich's tenure resulted in a 1-10 record, there was no sense of relief in the building when he was fired. The entire building was relieved when Tepper fired Rhule after Week 5 of the 2022 season.

[frankw]

At this point as low as we've sunk I would be fine with Harbaugh. I don't see him being a long term match with Tepper though. That only works if Dave is hands off for the most part.

[travisura]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Interesting passage...

As it was described by sources, even though Reich's tenure resulted in a 1-10 record, there was no sense of relief in the building when he was fired. The entire building was relieved when Tepper fired Rhule after Week 5 of the 2022 season.

There’s no sense of relief because everyone realizes these problems are way deeper than Reich. Rhule was looked at as the root of the problem, not the symptom that he really was. 

[Mr. Scot]

4 minutes ago, travisura said:

There’s no sense of relief because everyone realizes these problems are way deeper than Reich. Rhule was looked at as the root of the problem, not the symptom that he really was. 

Oh, I'd say Rhule was an additional problem all on his own.

I don't doubt people were happy to see him gone. It's consistent with what others have said.

But yeah, the biggest problem is the one that can't be fired.

Edited December 2, 2023 by Mr. Scot

[ForJimmy]

7 minutes ago, frankw said:

At this point as low as we've sunk I would be fine with Harbaugh. I don't see him being a long term match with Tepper though. That only works if Dave is hands off for the most part.

It’s definitely better than what we have, but I don’t like the HC having full control like Rhule. Just fire Fitt, hire a good GM and let him pick your next HC. 

[travisura]

Just now, ForJimmy said:

It’s definitely better than what we have, but I don’t like the HC having full control like Rhule. Just fire Fitt, hire a good GM and let him pick your next HC. 

The key difference between Rhule and Harbaugh being that Harbaugh has experience winning in both college and the NFL

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, ForJimmy said:

It’s definitely better than what we have, but I don’t like the HC having full control like Rhule. Just fire Fitt, hire a good GM and let him pick your next HC. 

I'm not at all sure that's going to happen.

Tepper reportedly has no issues with the roster in the defensive or special teams areas, and he seems to focus the offensive issues on Reich.

THat may change, but right now...

[ForJimmy]

21 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I'm not at all sure that's going to happen.

Tepper reportedly has no issues with the roster in the defensive or special teams areas, and he seems to focus the offensive issues on Reich.

THat may change, but right now...

I could see him doing it backwards which I don’t like. Let someone like Ben Johnson pick his GM to make the job offer more appealing.

[UNCrules2187]

33 minutes ago, frankw said:

At this point as low as we've sunk I would be fine with Harbaugh. I don't see him being a long term match with Tepper though. That only works if Dave is hands off for the most part.

Harbaugh isn’t a long-term match with anyone. That said, I’ll take him here even if it’s only for 2-3 years because he’s a proven winner wherever he goes, and lord knows I’d like to see another playoff win in Carolina before we hit a decade without one. 

[ForJimmy]

24 minutes ago, travisura said:

The key difference between Rhule and Harbaugh being that Harbaugh has experience winning in both college and the NFL

Yes Harbaugh had brief success in the NFL. He also inherited a solid roster and only coached for what 4-5 years? He wins everywhere he goes so he should be good, but I still prefer the GM/HC balance. 

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

I could see him doing it backwards which I don’t like. Let someone like Ben Johnson pick his GM to make the job offer more appealing.

Is Johnson really qualified to do something like that?

[Martin]

2 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

I could see him doing it backwards which I don’t like. Let someone like Ben Johnson pick his GM to make the job offer more appealing.

I think I would be fine with this, it’s similar to the Shannan / Lynch set up