Tag: Champ Kelly

Panthers confirm interview requests for 8 GM candidates

The Panthers confirmed interview requests for eight GM candidates on Monday.

Hmmm . . . it’s almost as if the Carolina Panthers knew they weren’t moving forward with Scott Fitterer.

On Monday, not even 12 hours after announcing his firing, the team confirmed their interview requests for eight general manager candidates.

The list is as follows:

  • New York Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager Mike Greenberg
  • Kansas City Chiefs vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis
  • Philadelphia Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby
  • New Orleans Saints assistant general manager Khai Harley
  • Baltimore Ravens vice president of football administration Nick Matteo
  • Indianapolis Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds
  • Las Vegas Raiders interim general manager Champ Kelly

Just as in their head-coaching hunt, where they’ve also confirmed interview requests for nine candidates, the Panthers are not permitted to hold in-person interviews for the position until Jan. 22.

This will be the first time the organization is set to hire both a new general manager and a new head coach in the same offseason since 2002.

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15 possible candidates to replace former Panthers GM Scott Fitterer

Who’s next in line to lead the Panthers’ front office? Here are 15 candidates that could replace Scott Fitterer.

The Carolina Panthers didn’t wait long to make a move after wrapping up the worst record in the history of a 17-game season.

On Monday, the team announced they have parted ways with general manager Scott Fitterer. The decision puts an end to a bumpy three-year run, one that resulted in an overall 14-37 record.

So, who’s next for owner David Tepper?

Here are 15 possible candidates for Carolina’s new opening:

Raiders’ Mark Davis open to new regime but would like Antonio Pierce, Champ Kelly to earn the job

Mark Davis would like Antonio Pierce and Champ Kelly to remain Raiders

The Raiders are in a familiar position with an interim coach, little to play for, and an uncertain future.

Las Vegas has an interim general manager, too, in GM Champ Kelly. Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce won his first two games at the helm but has dropped the last three.

Does Raiders owner Mark Davis think his team looks better after he fired ex-coach Josh McDaniels? Do Pierce and Kelly have a shot at returning next season? Davis told The Athletic’s Tashan Reed that they do, and he’d like them to earn permanent roles.

You’ve said you want to remain open-minded going into this coaching search. What does that look like as you go into the hiring process?

It’s wide open. But it’s tough at the same time because I do have Antonio and Champ in those positions, and I’d like for them to get the job. So, if I start to feel like that’s definitely the way I’m going to go — which I’m not there — then I don’t want to mislead people in the interview process. So, it’s going to be a really interesting dynamic in trying to keep my mind open to the potential hirings.

Davis also told Reed he learns something new about Pierce and Kelly every day. They have an advantage against any competition if they can prove to Davis they have what it takes to make the Raiders winners again.

Davis added that Pierce and Kelly aren’t necessarily a packaged deal and he’s keeping track of other potential coaches and GMs.

I don’t believe you can tie Antonio and Champ at the hip. It’s not both or none. It could be one or the other. I just don’t know. I’m not making a commitment right now. So, in the process, I’m getting a lot of calls from people who have clients who they feel would be great for the job. I’m banking those names, and we’ll see what happens once the season is over.

One can only wonder who is calling Davis on behalf of other candidates. Las Vegas is an attractive coaching destination, especially with a high draft pick in the cards.

But it appears Davis is giving Pierce and Kelly every opportunity to stick around. The players have responded to their leadership thus far, and Davis acknowledged they stepped into a tough situation in the wake of the McDaniels firing.

Pierce and Kelly also have the backing of superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby, who told Davis he wants Pierce and Kelly back in 2024 — though support from Crosby didn’t help the previous Raiders interim coach, Rich Bisacchia.

In any event, Davis said the position is “wide open” but acknowledged the reality of the situation. What happens during the rest of the regular season appears to mean a lot regarding the future of the Raiders.

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Could Champ Kelly earn GM job for Raiders in 2024?

Could Champ Kelly earn GM job for Raiders in 2024?

The Raiders made some wholesale changes a few weeks ago, including firing Josh McDaniels and benching Jimmy Garoppolo. They also moved on from offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi as they completely revamped the entire offense.

But one move that didn’t get enough attention was the firing of Dave Ziegler. We are used to coaches getting fired pretty frequently in the NFL, but rarely do you see an in-season firing at general manger. But considering how the last two years have gone, it shouldn’t have been a surprise.

Not only will the Raiders have a head coach search in 2024, but they will also be interviewing general manager candidates. Right now, that belongs to Champ Kelly, who deserves a long look. Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about Kelly and why he might be the right man for the job:

Now serving as the Raiders’ interim general manager, Kelly has worked on the pro personnel side for the majority of his NFL career with a background as a player, coach, contract advisor and general manager of a United Indoor Football team.

While the Raiders’ 2023 draft class is off to a slow start, the team added contributors in wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, linebacker Robert Spillane, safety Marcus Epps, tight end Austin Hooper and cornerback Marcus Peters, among others, in free agency.

Kelly has been working in the NFL since 2007, when he was the assistant director of pro personnel with the Dolphins. He knows this job and what it entails. It’ll be fascinating to see what moves he makes the rest of the season because he should be the odds-on favorite to earn the job this offseason.

Raider Nation reacts to interim HC Antonio Pierce passionate opening press conference

Raider Nation reacts to interim HC Antonio Pierce passionate opening press conference

Wednesday, 15 hours after the team announced the firing of head coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler, the two men stepping up to fill their shoes stepped in front of the media to make statements and answer questions.

Antonio Pierce in particular came in hot, firing off quotable, inspirational words that would have any player wanting to play for him. And the fans were into it as well.

“It’s a new day. It’s a new chapter. It’s a new era. It’s a new mindset. What is that mindset? It’s that of the Raider pride. The Commitment to Excellence. And making sure our alumni, our fanbase, and Raider Nation are proud of what they see on the field. What does that look like? Tough, passionate, effort, energy, and enthusiasm that you see when we all watch our kids and these young men who are now pro athletes played with they they all were in Pop Warner. Having that love for the game. We’re on the same page, Champ and myself. Our staff is connected, we had a great team meeting this morning. Everybody was steely-eyed and focused. We walked in with a smile on our face. The synergy, the energy in this building, the personality of our players will reflect on who we are as Raiders.

“We’re tired of losing. It’s not a good feeling. We’re a production based business. We’re about competition, being competitive and playing with an edge and a swag and a certain confidence every time we walk out that damn tunnel that everybody that is watching on TV can see the product that we’re putting out there is something to be proud of.”

“I’ve been fortunate. From playing at a high level. Went all the way back to my roots and coached at Long Beach Poly High School as a head coach there. Was at the New York Giants in 2017 and then college for four years. And I had opportunities and go to other organizations and I decide not to. The short story, the matter of fact is I grew up in Compton California. I was born a Raider. I was born with the Raiders rolling in the coliseum in LA. I was rolling NWA talking Straight Outta Compton, rocking Raider hats. So, when the opportunity came to work with Pat Graham and Josh and Dave, I jumped on it. So, that’s what set me up for this. I was born this way.”

“I’m relying on our leaders to lead. I’m coming in here with the game plan. This is the picture we’re trying to paint. But they’ve got to carry it throughout. The best teams that I’ve ever been on as a player or as a coach, player ran. Player ran, bottom line. Davante knows what it is. Maxx Crosby knows what it is. Robert Spillane knows what it is. Our captains and leaders know what it takes. They’ve got to go out there and do it, and they’ve got to carry that message to make sure that resonates and we block out all of this outside noise, because we’re going to get some over the next 72-plus hours. And it’s us against the world. That’s our mentality right now, us against the world, Raider nation against everybody else.”

“[Offensive coordinator] Bo [Hardegree] went in here today, the offense, I spoke with those gentlemen. They know exactly the task and the plan going forward and what kind of offense we want to portray. Now, are you going to sit there and rip up the whole playbook? No. But you better go to your key guys. I’m not a fool. I’m a player. Remember I was a player before I was a coach. Player ran business.”

 

Tyree Wilson is work in progress but Raiders see ‘growth mindset’ of future star

In Tyree Wilson Raiders see physical specimen without ‘savvy’ but with ‘growth mindset’ of future star

Thursday night the Raiders made Texas Tech edge defender Tyree Wilson their selection at seventh overall in the draft. Putting the intriguing college talent front and center as the team attempts to improve upon their 6-11 record from last season.

It was a decision GM Dave Ziegler described as comfortable. Why did they feel comfortable taking Wilson? That’s a long answer.

Let’s start with the basics. Everyone raves about Wilson’s physique. He’s a specimen at 6-5, 271 pounds with 35-inch arms and a 84-inch wingspan. He has raw abilities which make for a good baseline to work with.

There’s the evaluation of a what a player has put on tape and then there’s the evaluation of what kind of potential they have. After all, we’ve all seen players who dominate the college game and put up great numbers there, but the moment they are put against NFL level competition, they are out of their depth.

Some would argue, that is often the case with rookies. That they get that shock when they hit the NFL and every player is better than just about any competition they faced in college.

Separating those who hit their peak in college and those who continue to improve at the next level is most of the battle. It’s why they talk about work ethic a lot when evaluating talent. Those evaluations start with the scouts.

“When they come back and they tell me he’s a guy with extremely long arms and an amazing body who practices extremely hard day in and day out, we’re automatically excited when we hear that,” said Raiders Assistant GM Champ Kelly.

Those of us who have seen the way Maxx Crosby has practiced throughout his career can draw a straight line from that to how he dominates in games. Going all out in every drill, every rep, and every snap. Wilson seems to subscribe to that as well.

“I feel like if you don’t practice hard, you don’t play hard,” said Wilson Thursday following his selection by the Raiders. “Coming to the Silver & Black, that’s what they’re big on – practice like you play and being dominant and relentless.”

Wilson had the look of a very confident man Thursday night. In his sleek black suit adorned with floral designs and his black button up shirt completely open to expose his several large sparkling chains around his neck. Which made it kind of funny to hear Ziegler use the word “humble” when describing Wilson.

However, his style of clothes and bear hug that lifted Roger Goodell off the stage floor aren’t an indication of his humility as a player.

Ziegler also referred to Wilson as a “willing learner” with a “growth mindset” and a “passion for football” and a “drive to get better.”

Much of that may sound cliche, but there’s a reason for that. Mainly because it’s so important in evaluating whether a player will develop into the talent you hope they will.

A good sign is how open he was to going into detail when I asked him about the areas in which he needs the most work.

“There’s other things that I need work on like locking out all the time and playing with pad leverage and just being more technically sound,” Wilson said. “Coming from college and going to the NFL, that’s the biggest thing that you have to work on.”

Ziegler listed these areas and many more including counter moves and setting the edge. Generally speaking, he said Wilson won with “length and power” but was not technically “savvy”. Which is another way of saying he is a raw physical talent.

“How to study your tackle, what’s the best way to specifically beat this individual player. That’s not something that he had to do,” Ziegler added. “He didn’t have to vary it as much as he’s going to have to do in the NFL. So, there’s a level of that that I think he can continue to grow.”

Wilson will have two great mentors in Crosby and Chandler Jones. So, he’ll have plenty of opportunity to live up to his potential. He will have a chance to carve out a role for himself early and for the long term. But from the sounds of it, he has a long way to go for that and will have to be everything the Raiders hope he is from a character standpoint in order for him to reach it.

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Raiders hire former Bears exec Champ Kelly as assistant GM

The Bears lost a valuable member of their front office in Champ Kelly, who was hired as the Raiders’ assistant GM.

The Raiders are hiring former Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly as their new assistant GM.

Kelly interviewed for Chicago’s vacant general manager position this offseason, which ultimately went to Ryan Poles. Kelly was highly regarded within the Bears front office, and now he gets an opportunity to serve as new Raiders GM Dave Ziegler’s right-hand man.

Kelly had been with the Bears since 2015. He was promoted to his current role in 2017, where he’s been responsible for evaluating draft players, pro stuff and has even served as a conduit between the front office and a lot of the players. Kelly has previously interviewed for GM openings with the Denver Broncos (2021) and New York Jets (2019).

In one of his first acts as GM, Poles hired Ian Cunningham as the Bears’ assistant GM, a new role created within the organization.

New Bears head coach Matt Eberflus continues to fill out his staff, which includes hiring Luke Getsy as offensive coordinator, Alan Williams as defensive coordinator, Dave Borgonzi as linebackers coach, Chris Morgan as offensive line coach and Tyke Tolbert as wide receivers coach.

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Raiders hire former Bears exec Champ Kelly as Assistant General Manager

Raiders have named Champ Kelly as Assistant General Manager

Days after the Raiders introduced Dave Ziegler as the team’s new General Manager, the team announced the hiring of Champ Kelly as Assistant General Manager.

Kelly comes over from the Chicago Bears where he was the team’s Assistant Director of Player Personnel. He was among those who had interviewed with the Raiders during their search for a new GM.

Kelly spent seven seasons in Chicago, the past five of which in his current role. Prior to that he was the Director of Pro Scouting.

Prior to joining the Bears, Kelly spent eight seasons with the Denver Broncos (2007-14), including the final five as Assistant Director of Pro Personnel. His first three years, he spent as an area scout.

As Assistant Director of Pro Personnel in Denver, Kelly was credited with the additions of eight veteran free agents that went on to make the Pro Bowl, including two players—guard Louis Vasquez (2013) and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (2014)—who earned their first career Pro Bowl selections after coming to Denver.

There’s reportedly another front office member connected with Josh McDaniels, Raiders

This front office member spent time with Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler in Denver for a season.

Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler have been heavily connected to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The New England Patriots offensive coordinator is set to interview with the Raiders on Saturday and there’s reportedly momentum building. Ziegler, the Patriots director of player personnel, would be paired with McDaniels to form cohesion and a solid foundation.

There’s reportedly a third member who has close ties involved that could come in and play an assistant role to the general manager position. Champ Kelly, the Chicago Bears’ assistant director of player personnel, spent time with McDaniels and Ziegler for a year with the Denver Broncos.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, this trio could be the foundation  in Las Vegas that makes McDaniels comfortable with the position. Kelly has already interviewed for the Raiders position this offseason and he’s been a candidate among general manger openings.

The Patriots will retain Bill Belichick, but there’s a lot of question marks when it comes to the coaching staff and front office for 2022.

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Several more candidates interview for Raiders open General Manager position

Up to three interviews now for Raiders GM job

The Raiders are wasting no time in their efforts to find a replacement for recently fired Mike Mayock as General Manager. Today former Bengals scout Trey Brown became the third to interview with the team according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The previous interviews have been with Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel Champ Kelly and Patriots Director of Player Personnel Dave Ziegler.

Previous reports had the Raiders expected to put in a request to interview Colts Vice President of Player Personnel Ed Dodds, though no reported interview has happened as of yet. Dodds was then reported as having withdrawn from candidacy for the Bears open GM position.

The string of GM interviews should come as very good news. The Raiders are also in a search for their next head coach. And whomever that ends up being should be selected at least in part by the new GM, so it’s important to have him in the building before the head coach hire is made.

Thus far the only outside head coaching interview the Raiders have had is with Patriots LB coach Jerod Mayo. They have also interviewed current Interim Head Coach Rich Bisaccia.