What a classless move by the Carolina Panthers.

[HeatCheck]

I don't see how this is classless at all. Fox knew that this was coming. I don't see how this hurts Fox or people's perception of him as a coach.

And he's not getting "fired." His contract is up. So that plays a huge role in whether or not this is classless or not.

[jasonluckydog]

This picture is classless

[Dpantherman]

I see what you did here, .5/10 (for getting me to click)

[Tarheels23]

This could actually be a classy move by JR to Fox. By making this public, it gives Fox the ability to have discussions with other teams about possible openings earlier.

This!

[Dpantherman]

I think the OP is just bored. Everyone in the league already knew he was gone

[Carolinator]

You know what John Fox should do? Go out there, and punt the ball every 1st down. (We're going to be punting 3 plays later anyway). Obviously he has to know he was done after Sundays game, but to do this 2 days before a game is pretty classless. This isn't college football where people switch teams in week 5 or whatever. I hope the players go out there and play their hearts out for this man. They always have, and I hope they do it one last time Sunday.

Fox has been expecting this for a couple of years please get up to date with the outside world.

[pantherpain]

For the most part it seems that Jerry and John has significant respect for each other. I believe JR respects what John fox has done and trust him.

[Brooklyn Bully]

The question isn't about Fox, the question is did all the other coaches know they were done. If not...classless.

[SorthNarolina]

By making it clear they wont be back they have time to prep since new years and week 17 will occupy a lot of their time.

The rest of the league can now look at them and they can get ready for interviews.

It would be classless if he didn't handle it that way. Scaring off teams afraid of tampering for no good reason would make JR look like a jerk.

[Dpantherman]

The question isn't about Fox, the question is did all the other coaches know they were done. If not...classless.

daringantt

Just to put a few things to rest before I do the same with myself: Nothing that happened today was a surprise to anyone involved

[Wither]

[Anybodyhome]

1. For all of you who are still using the term "fired." You are absolutely and 110% incorrect. Fox's contract is expiring, he's not being given a new one. This is a far cry from being "fired."

2. None of the coaches are being retained either. While I'm not sure about the contract status of most of them, I'm guessing they all have expiring deals as well and as such, are not being "fired" either.

3. Thinking this is a "classless move" is also pretty petty and short-sighted as well. Coaches and assistant coaches contracts typically run until March 1. By announcing the team will not be offering extensions to anyone, it allows any and all of the coaches to seek employment elsewhere and gives every team in the league permission to speak to any of the coaches.

[jim stone]

It is what it is.

[ladypanther]

The question isn't about Fox, the question is did all the other coaches know they were done.

My guess is that it is pretty standard. Head coaches hire their staffs.