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Things to consider about a coaching search

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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Some points to think about when you're looking at who the Panthers might interview and/or hire as a head coach should John Fox be elsewhere after this season.

1. They have to buy into the system

Jerry Richardson's desire is to have a "Steeleresque" system where the team builds through the draft, preemptively develops players and eschews big free agent contracts (even of their own guys). To a certain degree, the mechanism is already in place, so someone wanting to build his own system or "be the system' is likely out of luck. Any coach that comes in here would have to be willing to work within the framework the team has established. Coaches that in the past have worked on teams that were more free spending might not like having to make that change.

This notion might make Cowher fans giddy, since after all he coached and had his success under the Steelers system. It shouldn't though. Read on.

2. The GM is likely already in place

Although John Fox may leave, there's no real indication that Marty Hurney is going anywhere. No, he hasn't signed his extension yet, but he hasn't exactly been handinghis resume' out either. Hurney and Richardson are said to have a very good relationship, and the perception that Fox and Hurney were a "package deal" doesn't really look to have much weight anymore.

Thus, you can expect it'll be Marty Hurney who hires the next coach. And as such, it's pretty unlikely that it'll be a "total control" guy (Richardson is said to hate that model, anyway).

3. The salary isn't likely to be "blockbuster"

The Panthers aren't a team that likes to go with huge salaries on the field, nor on the coaching staff. The team has long held a philosophy that it's better to "grow your own star" than sign someone else's. Thus, any coach looking for a huge payday is probably barking up the wrong tree if he looks in Charlotte. Mind you, it's not that the team wouldn't reward a guy who's built his name here and earned it. Some would argue John Fox has done that, but I'm not sure I buy that notion. Still, the team threw a load of money at Dom Capers way earlier than it should have, and it wound up costing them (literally).

The next guy who coaches here has to be willing to build his name into a brand, the hard way.

4. This isn't a big market

The Carolinas are a very nice place to live, and an area that's seen some good growth. Still, this isn't New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. If you're looking for a high visibility job, you won't find it here. Granted, it could become more visible down the road if the team has some success, but that's probably a long way off and in no way guaranteed.

Throw in the team's general approach to the press, and you can pretty much conclude that you won't become a media star coaching the Panthers.

5. A fair amount of the team "core" is already here

Although a lot of them are, as yet, unsigned, you can bet a fair amount of the team's core leaders are already here. Guys like Jon Beason, Ryan Kalil, arguably Jimmy Clausen and others...you can expect the team will work to keep them around long term. If you're a coach that likes the idea of working with an existing core group, then this is no issue.

If, on the other hand, you want to put your "stamp" on the team, you may not find it quite as easy to do so here as you might elsewhere.

6. Team leadership has a preference for pro-level coordinators

Two of the three head coaches hired in Panthers history have been up-and-coming defensive coordinators. The one time they hired a former NFL head coach, it ended in a disaster of biblical proportions. And if you look not only at the hires but at the interview choices, coordinators still lead, and generally defensive guys. To my knowledge, the team has only interviewed one offensive guy and one college guy (both the same guy, Steve Spurrier, and it went poorly).

Now that doesn't mean the team couldn't go in other directions, but it's a trend.

And one more thing that fans really should remember when they're pondering the search for the next Panthers head coach.

7. It hasn't actually started yet.

Remote as it might seem (and it seem very remote to me) the possibility does exist that John Fox could save his job (or decide to stay, depending on your perspective). Bad as the season's start has been, it's still only three weeks in. A lot can happen between now and season's end.

My belief is that it will happen this time (too many things pointing in that direction) but then a lot of us thought it'd happen last year too.

Bottom Line: If the team does wind up searching for a new head coach, most of the factors in place make it unlikely that it'll be a high profile guy. Those hoping for a Cowher or a Gruden aill likely wind up disappointed. Guys like Leslie Frazier, Mike Zimmer, Jim Harbaugh and others of similar cloth have a much better shot of succeeding John Fox than those who've already made their name elsewhere. You can agree with the approach or not, but indications are that this is how the Panthers plan to roll. Keep those things in mind when you mull over who might take the team reins next season.

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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Russ Grimm.

I could see it, although I'm not as high on that idea as I once was.

Names that I give at least some level of credence to, in no particular order:

Ron Rivera, Chargers DC (he's interviewed numerous times but never gotten a job; I suspect he's a lousy interview)

Leslie Frazier, Vikings DC (the conventional wisdom guy)

Mike Zimmer, Bengals DC (arguably one of the better resumes out there)

Russ Grimm, Cardinals Assistant Head Coach (tough minded, and an alumnus of the Steeler system)

Sean McDermott, Eagles DC (still iffy here, this season might hurt his chances)

Jim Harbaugh, Stanford Head Coach (spent time on the Panthers near the end of his playing career)

Winston Moss, Assistant Head Coach, Packers (an up-and-coming defensive mind)

Mike Heimerdinger, Titans OC (pretty smart offensive mind)

Keith Butler, Steelers LB Coach (likely the heir to Dick LeBeau's throne as Steeler DC)

Pete Carmichael, Saints OC (his dad was a good coach too, arguably nerdier looking than Brad Childress)

Rob Ryan, Browns DC (the name might get him a look, but if he's anything like his brother he may not mesh here)

Ron Meeks, Panthers DC (the in-house option)

Other names will likely emerge as the season goes on.

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Ruff Newbie

Ruff

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I could see it, although I'm not as high on that idea as I once was.

Names that I give at least some level of credence to, in no particular order:

Ron Rivera (Chargers DC)

Leslie Frazier (Vikings DC)

Mike Zimmer (Bengals DC)

Russ Grimm (Cardinals Assistant Head Coach)

Sean McDermott (Eagles DC)

Jim Harbaugh (Stanford Head Coach)

Mike Heimerdinger (Titans OC)

Keith Butler (Steelers LB Coach)

Pete Carmichael (Saints OC)

Ron Meeks (Panthers DC)

Other names will likely emerge as the season goes on.

Hm. No Mike McCoy in there? I figured he would be one of the first names on the short list.

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panther4life Community Regular

panther4life

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I could see it, although I'm not as high on that idea as I once was.

Names that I give at least some level of credence to, in no particular order:

Ron Rivera (Chargers DC)

Leslie Frazier (Vikings DC)

Mike Zimmer (Bengals DC)

Russ Grimm (Cardinals Assistant Head Coach)

Sean McDermott (Eagles DC)

Jim Harbaugh (Stanford Head Coach)

Mike Heimerdinger (Titans OC)

Keith Butler (Steelers LB Coach)

Pete Carmichael (Saints OC)

Ron Meeks (Panthers DC)

Other names will likely emerge as the season goes on.

It wont be popular but I would add Davidson to that list. I just feel like most of the playcalling offensively that I dont agree with Fox had a hand in it.

Also alot of our offensive struggles have been careless turnovers, that cant be blamed on Davidson

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Ruff Newbie

Ruff

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I'm more than happy with the GM and the College Scouting Director/staff.

I will kill someone though if we hire in house. We need a breath of fresh air. Preferably someone that can actually game plan.

I feel the same way. I'd like to get someone from outside. A "fresh pair of eyes", so to speak. I wouldn't mind Jim Harbaugh, Russ Grimm, or Mike McCoy.

I don't really want Carolina to go get a defensive coordinator, because honestly? I'm more than happy with Meeks' system. If a defensive coach comes in, then we could see a totally different defense be put into place.

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