Head Coach Preference as of January 12th

[Evil Hurney]

In an effort to get a realistic field of head coaching candidates I did a bit of research and projecting.

1) First, I listed all the reported candidates as well as a few of the bigger names (Belichick, Harbaugh, Vrabel) and organized them by type of hire.

2) Next, I went through and projected the HC for the teams in need based upon current rumors and other connecting-of-the-dots.

3) Finally, I eliminated candidates that seemed to be getting courtesy interviews (Internal and Rooney Rule candidates).

Here is the initial list:

Former Head Coaches

• former Patriots HC, Bill Belichick -> Predicting as Falcons HC
• current Michigan HC, Jim Harbaugh -> Predicting as Chargers HC
• Cowboys DC, Dan Quinn -> Predicting as Seahawks HC
• former Titans HC, Mike Vrabel

Offensive Minds

• Bengals OC, Brian Callahan
• Buccaneers OC, Dave Canales
• Lions OC, Ben Johnson -> Predicting as Washington HC
• Eagles OC, Brian Johnson (satisfies Rooney Rule)
• Ravens OC, Todd Monken
• Texans OC, Bobby Slowik -> Predicting as Titans HC
• Dolphins OC, Frank Smith

Defensive Minds

• Panthers DC, Ejiro Evero
• Ravens DC, Mike Macdonald
• Rams DC, Raheem Morris (satisfies Rooney Rule)

Internal Candidates

• Panthers Interim HC, Chris Tabor

 

The remaining candidates are shown in the poll. Which would you most want as the next Panthers Head Coach?

Edited January 12, 2024 by Evil Hurney

[Waldo]

Johnson, Johnson, Slowik or Smith. Young OC with good conections. Meh to the rest.

[Mage]

Todd Monken or Mike Macdonald (my #2 overall behind Ben Johnson)

I'm just not a fan of these other options.  Ben Johnson is my #1 but I don't see that happening.  

Monken is older, which hurts him, but he's got great experience in the pro and college game.  That should help with his ability to develop players because he's familiar with different styles and ways of getting guys involved.  Even in Tampa, he did a great job (I won't blame him for Jameis being a turnover-machine).  And he's worked under two great leaders in Harbaugh and Smart.

Macdonald I feel could be a culture-setter, and like Monken, has worked under great leaders.  And I just get a vibe that his teams will be tough.  I mean just look at him.

I don't want to hire an offensive coach for the sake of saying we have one.  Callahan and Canales would be blah hires.  I wouldn't hate Frank Smith... but I wouldn't feel good about it working out.  Feels like you'd be taking a huge gamble that he isn't just riding Mike McDaniels' coattails. 

And please no retreads

Edited January 12, 2024 by Mage

[Martin]

I like Monken, but I reserve the right to change my opinion tomorrow

[Martin]

2 minutes ago, Mage said:

Todd Monken or Mike Macdonald (my #2 overall behind Ben Johnson)

I'm just not a fan of these other options.  Ben Johnson is my #1 but I don't see that happening.  

Monken is older, which hurts him, but he's got great experience in the pro and college game.  That should help with his ability to develop players because he's familiar with different styles and ways of getting guys involved.  Even in Tampa, he did a great job (I won't blame him for Jameis being a turnover-machine).  And he's worked under two great leaders in Harbaugh and Smart.

Macdonald I feel could be a culture-setter, and like Monken, has worked under great leaders.  And I just get a vibe that his teams will be tough.  I mean just look at him.

I don't want to hire an offensive coach for the sake of saying we have one.  Callahan and Canales would be blah hires.  I wouldn't hate Frank Smith... but I wouldn't feel good about it working out.  Feels like you'd be taking a huge gamble that he isn't just riding Mike McDaniels' coattails. 

And please no retreats.

Agree with your thoughts on Monken

[Evil Hurney]

3 minutes ago, Mage said:

Todd Monken or Mike Macdonald (my #2 overall behind Ben Johnson)

I'm just not a fan of these other options.  Ben Johnson is my #1 but I don't see that happening.  

Monken is older, which hurts him, but he's got great experience in the pro and college game.  That should help with his ability to develop players because he's familiar with different styles and ways of getting guys involved.  Even in Tampa, he did a great job (I won't blame him for Jameis being a turnover-machine).  And he's worked under two great leaders in Harbaugh and Smart.

Macdonald I feel could be a culture-setter, and like Monken, has worked under great leaders.  And I just get a vibe that his teams will be tough.  I mean just look at him.

I don't want to hire an offensive coach for the sake of saying we have one.  Callahan and Canales would be blah hires.  I wouldn't hate Frank Smith... but I wouldn't feel good about it working out.  Feels like you'd be taking a huge gamble that he isn't just riding Mike McDaniels' coattails. 

And please no retreats.

I am also intrigued by Macdonald, but then I wonder if that was the path why not just promote Ejiro. Are they really that different of candidates?

[Tarheel119]

I’m not the biggest fan of Monken which means he’ll probably get the job. I don’t care what side of the ball they come from. I want competence. Build a culture and stick with it. There are a couple on the list who could do that.

[Bear Hands]

Not just saying this to be a contrarian but I'm a Canales fan.  But honestly, I welcome any of these guys.  MacDonald & Canales seem the most impressive to me from what I've found.  

The only one that gives me pause is Monken.  He wasn't good at South Miss (his only HC gig) and has hopped around a lot.  No doubt, he had success at UGA and is able to use the Ravens personnel a lot better than Roman, but that's not a huge feat given what was in place at both of those spots. 

Watching his interviews, he just doesn't give much HC vibes.  Just my 2 cents.  Just too much moving around and not enough that points to the idea that "oh man, he came in and took that team from point A to point B"

 

 

[frankw]

What's with the Monken hype? He's almost 60 and he has had Lamar Jackson to work with.

Ben Johnson Frank Smith Bobby Slowik and even Canales should be the only names to bother with.

[Mr. Scot]

Ben Johnson and Frank Smith would still be my top choices.

[4Corners]

Nick Siriani YOU ARE A CAROLINA PANTHER

[t96]

Harbaugh. Not sure why you'd do a poll eliminating options by guessing where they are going. Until Harbaugh has been hired elsewhere or we've hired someone, he is an option.

I don't think we're going to end up with any of your poll options as HC lol

Edited January 12, 2024 by t96

[4Corners]

Todd Monken would be a bad hire. Which is why he will be the coach. 

[TLGPanthersFan]

The fact another retread HC is leading the poll is depressing.