Why is Fox out the door?

[DaCityKats]

What kind of girls are you hooking up with that refer to not wearing underwear as free balling?

thats just a term for not wearing underwear.

[panthers55]

IF Fox didn't want to be here, he'd be gone. He doesn't need to finish out his contract. He isn't hurting for money. If people would look into fox's history (before the giants even) they would also know he'd have no bones about leaving. He could sit out this year, and be one of the first hired in the next head coaches turn over.

The media has made a big deal out of his contract situation. Fox hasn't.

Fox wouldn't stay to coach through this season unless he wanted to be here.

The bottom line is he is getting paid 6 million which is one of the higher paid coaches in the league. Given he is under contract to a team, he can't just leave or go elsewhere. And other teams can't just hire him while he is under contract to the Panthers. In the past teams who wanted coaches under contract to another team had to compensate the original team with draft picks, which isn't allowed anymore.

Fox is also a man of honor and will finish out his contract as agreed. But I really doubt he is happy about things and I suspect he and richardson will part ways after the season. I doubt it is acrimonious but it appears things are not rosy either. And yes he would stay here and coach because unless he quit and retired (which he is surely isn't ready for yet) he is under contract to the Panthers. It would be very bad for his career to just go elsewhere and breach his contract unless it was with Richardson's blessing which Richardson actually gave him when he said he wouldn't stand in the way of Fox going elsewhere, IIRC. Apparently no one beat down the door to get him.

[Future of the Funchise]

Why is Fox out the door?

Because of you... It's your fault. You're the only one to blame. The burden of it lies solely on your shoulders. This is happening because you made it happen.

[KatsAzz]

I believe this decision by Jerry Richardson, which may have already been made, all comes down to two very important questions. Is Head Coach John Fox the coach that will get the Panthers back to the Super Bowl and win it? Can John Fox finally have a winning season against some of the NFL's best teams when the Panthers have a tough schedule which is a result of having a winning season previously? I believe Richardson must be sure that Fox can in fact improve so that both questions can be answered with a "yes" before he is awarded an extension.

Currently, I believe Richardson is no longer impressed with Fox. To date, Fox has not been able to put together back to back play-off appearances when the competition got better. Fox needs to be competitive and win even when the schedule is more difficult otherwise, the Panthers will remain a mediocre team, on again/off again, and Richardson will not accept this for the Panthers. Fox has also struggled to make the tough decisions required to keep the Panthers competitive so Richardson, either directly or indirectly, has made these decisions for Fox. Two prime examples I've already mentioned are the handling of the Delhomme and Peppers situations. Fox failed to take an aggressive, honest approach to both players when the time came to do so.

Fox has narrowly focused on one limited offensive strategy since arriving in Carolina. I think it's great and crucial to have a good running game but, the offense needs to be more than that to win consistently in this league. The team also needs a legit passing game. It appears that the league has moved on without Fox. He puts too much emphasis on the running game thereby, causing the offense to be basically one-dimensional which has proven to put too much pressure on the defense which isn't what it once was. Fox's philosophy of playing not to lose rather than playing to win has not served the Carolina Panthers well on a consistent basis.

From what I've witnessed over the past 8 eight years doesn't give me any sense of confidence that John Fox is the coach that will take the Panthers to next level. Even during the Super Bowl season of 2003, the Panthers beat many teams by just the narrowest of margins. Since then, Fox has been reluctant to lead, improve and has remained stubborn even when it's obvious that some positive change is needed.

While I remain thankful as a fan for all Fox has accomplished, he hasn't produced back to back play-off appearances or a Super Bowl victory. As with any sport, to be the best the Panthers must be able to beat the best which will require a head coach that understands what it takes to get there and is willing to take the lead. If Fox fails to show some leadership and improve upon his teams' playing philosophies, he is most definitely gone in 2011.

[KatsAzz]

I don't think we'll bring in a big name coach like Cowher... my guess is that we'll give Jeff Davidson the job when Fox goes.

That is my assumption also. If not Davidson,then some other young and upcoming coach.I don't believe JR will/would be interesting in hiring retreads if he lets Fox walk.

[pantherclaw]

Any head coach can walk away from a contract, at anytime. He just won't get the remainder of the contract.

Fox has done it before. Not at the head coaching level, but he has done it before.

Like I said, if he didn't want to be here... he wouldn't be here now.

[panthers55]

Any head coach can walk away from a contract, at anytime. He just won't get the remainder of the contract.

Fox has done it before. Not at the head coaching level, but he has done it before.

Like I said, if he didn't want to be here... he wouldn't be here now.

No head coach who wants to be seriously considered for another head coach position right away, walks away from a job unless health reasons or other serious conditions precipitate the move. Name me one head coach who walked away from the game without retiring who was considered for a head coaching job the next year.

And an assistant coach who gets a headcoaching job is not walking away from the job he is being promoted. Walking away???? That is ridiculous. No one blames him they all congratulate him. But a coach who just walks away from a contract still in effect for no compelling reason is a quitter and loser. Not even close. And yeah he would fulfill his obligation as any professional would.

[pantherclaw]

K.

[Nu Guns]

gruden gruden gruden !!!

[Pimpdaddy]

k.

lmao...

[LaChance87]

I like fox he's never givin us a losing season. I wouldn't mind seeing him stay around to be honest. There are alot of coaches out there that never work out. Even some of the coaches that once had dominate teams in the NFL, come back to coach and are out of a job within two or three years. Its just hard to find the perfect fit for a team. Thats just my thought, although I could be proven wrong, all it would take is for a team like the redskins or seatle to have deep playoff run this year... But'll we'll see. Superbowl Champions for 2010 season Carolina Panthers.... thats the only way you'll see John Fox be offered an extention... whos to say he'll even return. Then bring in Cowher.