Assistant Coach Options

[panther4life]

I think you guys are dreaming if you think Ryan would come here as defensive coordinator. I actually prefer that its just some yes man that knows football and can help Rivera draw up a decent game plan and let Rivera call the plays himself.

[Mr. Scot]

I think you guys are dreaming if you think Ryan would come here as defensive coordinator. I actually prefer that its just some yes man that knows football and can help Rivera draw up a decent game plan and let Rivera call the plays himself.

He's out of a job. We have one to offer. And he of Rivera are both students of his father.

Why wouldn't he?

[UsAgainstTheWorld]

I never heard. How did rob Ryan lose his job at cleveland?

[Mr. Scot]

I never heard. How did rob Ryan lose his job at cleveland?

Same way Ron Meeks lost his in Carolina (head coach let go; housecleaning ensues).

[panther4life]

Same way Ron Meeks lost his in Carolina (head coach let go; housecleaning ensues).

Not always the case. The panthers didnt clean house for fox when he got here.

[Mr. Scot]

Not always the case. The panthers didnt clean house for fox when he got here.

Not always, but it is what the Browns and Panthers both chose to do this year.

In the case of the Browns, I think Holmgren wants a whole new direction.

[Mr. Scot]

One thing I gleaned from toda's presser is that some of the assistant coaches, I believe particularly on offense, that he's interested in are currently on playoff teams.

(I take this from his early comment about how they were "following the rules" about who they could talk with and awaiting permission)

As far as who they might be waiting on, here are some sames from remaining playoff teams that make sense:

- Jim Zorn, QB Coach, Ravens

- Tom Clements, QB Coach, Packers

- Al Saunders, Offensive Assistant, Ravens

- Luke Butkus, Assistant Offensive Line, Seahawks

- Jerry Fontenot, Assistant Offensive Line, Packers (former Rivera teammate)

- Harold Goodwin, Offensive Assistant, Steelers (former Rivera coaching colleague)

- Mark Carrier, DL Coach, Jets (former Rivera teammate)

- Ken Norton Jr, LB Coach, Seahawks

- Jeff Ulbrich, ST Assistant, Seahawks

- Ray Horton, DB Coach, Steelers

- Matt Cavanaugh, QB Coach, Jets

- Edgar Bennett, RB Coach, Packers (contemporary of Rivera with the Packers)

- Terry Robiskie, WR Coach, Falcons

[magnus]

Not always the case. The panthers didnt clean house for fox when he got here.

they retained two coaches.

[magnus]

OK, so it turns out that Dave Wannstedt has ties not only to Rivera, but to two of the rumored OC candidates:

http://absolutepanthers.blogspot.com/2011/01/early-coordinator-options.html

all three coached with the university of Miami, and Wannstedt has a past with each

[Mr. Scot]

OK, so it turns out that Dave Wannstedt has ties not only to Rivera, but to two of the rumored OC candidates:

http://absolutepanthers.blogspot.com/2011/01/early-coordinator-options.html

all three coached with the university of Miami, and Wannstedt has a past with each

Interesting.

Trestman admittedly isn't one of my favorite names as an OC, but I could accept him as a QB coach (I'll accept him either way, of course; it'd just be easier there).

Jerry Fontenot is one of those "third tier" guys you've talked about before, and an old Rivera teammate. I remember him as a smart player (the centers usually are) so i could easily see him being the choice for O-Line coach.

Across from him, I could also see Rivera trying after Mark Carrier for the D-Line, but availability would be a question.

[Squirrel]

Might get some assistants back from Fox's regime too. Think Jim Skipper will be back.

[Dpantherman]

alot of the players are already campaigning for Skipper

[Mr. Scot]

Still think Skipper winds up wherever Fox goes, whether it's college or pro. Ditto Mike Gillhammer, maybe even Jeff Davidson.

But if the players are lobbying for him and Fox doesn't get a job soon, he'd have a chance.

Allowing for that option, my revised picks/predictions for coaching assistants:

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR - Rob Chudzinski (TE Coach, Chargers)

QB COACH - Marc Trestman (CFL)

RB COACH - Jim Skipper (former RB Coach, Panthers)

WR COACH - Al Saunders (Offensive Assistant, Ravens)

TE COACH - Pete Hoener (TE Coach, 49ers)

OL COACH - Jerry Fontenot (Asst OL Coach, Packers)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR - Dave Wannstedt (former head coach, Pitt Panthers)

DL COACH - Karl Dunbar (DL Coach, Vikings)

LB COACH - Richard Smith (former LB Coach, Panthers)

DB COACH - Ed Donnatell (DB Coach, Broncos)

SPECIAL TEAMS COACH - Chris Tabor (Asst ST Coach, Bears)

Edit: Gantt thinks Trestman has a job elsewhere though, so I might change my QB Coach choice to Ray Sherman or Paul Hackett.

[Actionman0z]

Mr. Scot, I like your staff, thats pretty amazing!