Tag: Matt Rhule

Former Panthers OC Joe Brady gets full-time gig with Bills

Former Panthers OC Joe Brady is getting a second chance at being a full-time play-caller in the NFL.

Joe Brady is getting his second (full-time) chance at being an NFL play-caller.

As announced on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills have officially knocked the “interim” label off Brady’s interim offensive coordinator title. The 34-year-old previously served in the same role for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and 2021.

The Panthers and former head coach Matt Rhule hired Brady straight out of Louisiana State University, where he served as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2019. That season saw the Tigers, behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow, capture the national title.

Brady, however, last only 12 games into his second campaign for Carolina. The offense ranked 21st in yards per game and 24th in points per game under Brady in his first year and 28th in yards and 23rd in points prior to his firing in 2021.

He would proceed to land in Buffalo as the quarterbacks coach in 2022. Brady then went on to replace another familiar face in Ken Dorsey, who was dismissed by the Bills on Nov. 14, 2023.

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Panthers reportedly giving new HC Dave Canales a 6-year deal

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Panthers have given new HC Dave Canales a six-year contract.

Upon firing his last head coach in late November, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper said he’d like the next guy to last 20 to 30 years on the job. Well, how about we start off with just a handful for now?

According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers are giving new head coach Dave Canales a six-year contract. The organization officially announced the hiring of the 42-year-old on Thursday night.

While rare, a deal of that length for a first-time head coach isn’t a first-time occurrence. In fact, it’s worked out rather well for the teams who have recently done the same. (Just ask the Houston Texans and DeMeco Ryans, the Detroit Lions and Dan Campbell and the San Francisco 49ers and Kyle Shanahan.)

Panthers owner David Tepper is hoping the third head-coaching hunt is a charm, as his previous two picks for the post did not pan out. Tepper dismissed Matt Rhule after 38 games from 2020 to 2022 and Frank Reich after just 11 this past season.

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Every HC in Carolina Panthers franchise history

Dave Canales is now the seventh full-time HC in Carolina Panthers history.

A new era of Carolina Panthers football is about to begin.

The team has officially hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their head coach, ending the second such search in as many seasons. He is now the seventh full-time head coach in franchise history and the 10th overall to assume the position.

Here, with the new guy included, is every head coach that has led the sidelines for the Panthers:

Former Panthers OC Joe Brady gets interview request for Falcons’ HC job

Former Panthers OC and current Bills interim OC Joe Brady is getting some interest from the Falcons.

Joe Brady may have found his comfort zone.

As first reported by CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones on Friday, the Atlanta Falcons have requested to speak with the Buffalo Bills interim offensive coordinator about their vacant head coach position. Brady also served as the Carolina Panthers’ offensive coordinator between 2020 and 2021.

That short run was initiated by former Panthers head coach Matt Rhule, who hired the young play-caller right out of college. Brady, who was 30 years old at the time, rose to popularity for his work as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach for the national champion LSU Tigers in 2019.

Then, that short run was concluded by Rhule 12 games into his second season. The Panthers ranked 21st in yards per game and 24th in points per game under Brady in his first season and 28th in yards and 23rd in points prior to his firing in 2021.

Brady landed on his feet in 2022, as he was hired as Buffalo’s quarterbacks coach. He would assume the offensive play-calling duties on Nov. 14, following the dismissal of another former Carolina staffer, Ken Dorsey.

The Bills have gone 7-1 since the switch.

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Report: David Tepper working with consulting firm on HC search

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Panthers owner David Tepper has retained the services of a consulting firm to help with his head-coaching search.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper isn’t afraid to ask for help.

As first noted by ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, Tepper has looked outside of his own organization to usher in a new era of Panthers football. Schefter, in his report from Saturday morning, wrote the following:

To help him guide his franchise for the future, Tepper has been working with the consulting firm Sportsology, led by former Chelsea FC executive Mike Forde.

Tepper retained Forde’s services to help his head-coaching search for Charlotte FC, the Major League Soccer club he also owns. That process landed on former Premier League manager Dean Smith, who was officially hired in December.

Forde’s firm recently worked with a handful of other NFL franchises as well—including the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons.

This approach is a fresh one for Tepper’s Panthers, who did not use a consultancy for their previous hires of Matt Rhule and Frank Reich.

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Cam Newton on joining Matt Rhule’s Panthers in 2021: I was coaching the coach

Cam Newton on joining Matt Rhule’s Panthers in 2021: I was coachin’ the coach!

Cam Newton didn’t have to be on board Matt Rhule’s ship long to know that it was going to sink.

The Carolina Panthers legend was the featured guest on Wednesday’s episode of The QB Room podcast, with hosts Jordan Palmer and Kyle Allen. (Yes, that Kyle Allen.) When Palmer asked Newton if the Panthers should’ve traded up for a quarterback in 2022, and not in 2023, Cam brought it back to another fateful decision the organization made.

“They should’ve never gotten rid of C-Mac,” he said. “First off, confidentially, I’m goin’ into waters where this is trusted source. This is information that a lot of people wouldn’t know unless you’re there. They didn’t know how to coach C-Mac. That’s the truth. There’s no reason why this guy is having 40 touches a game and he’s still practicing on Wednesday. They don’t know how to coach a star.”

While McCaffrey had himself a spectacular run in Carolina, one highlighted by the third 1,000-1,000 campaign in NFL history, the last few years of his stay was marred by injury. Newton, obviously, believes the Panthers were unable to provide their superstar running back with the proper maintenance—something the San Francisco 49ers have since figured out quite successfully.

Cam then went on to state that Rhule, whom he joined upon rejoining the franchise in the middle of 2021, couldn’t maintain an NFL locker room—let alone one guy.

“Also, Matt Rhule comes into a situation where . . . that was an interesting dynamic, too,” he said. “By the time I got there, because I come back and I’m like, ‘Yo, I’m doin’ a lot of patchwork.’ I’m coachin’ the coach!”

After a shoulder injury to then-starter Sam Darnold, the Panthers brought Newton back during Week 10. Unfortunately for both sides, it didn’t take long for the feel-good reunion to feel real bad.

Following a jaw-dropping win against the Arizona Cardinals in Newton’s brief and electric 2021 debut, the Panthers lost the remaining seven games of the season. Cam ended his second stint in Carolina, which has since been his last in the NFL, with 684 passing yards, 230 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns.

He had this to say when closing up his thoughts on Rhule:

“But the moral of the story is—coaches have to also be held to a standard that players are as well. And Matt Rhule was in over his head as far as how to operate an effective and efficient NFL locker room. And he didn’t necessarily know it.”

Rhule was fired after a 1-4 start to the very next season.

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Iowa rival hosting All-Big Ten quarterback Kyle McCord on visit

Matt Rhule is looking to address a massive need at Nebraska as the Cornhuskers reportedly welcome in former Ohio State QB Kyle McCord.

A major Big Ten rival of the Iowa Hawkeyes is looking to make a massive improvement through the NCAA transfer portal this offseason. Plagued by ineffective play at the quarterback position all year, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are heavily courting former Ohio State passer Kyle McCord.

According to sources of 247Sports, the Cornhuskers will be hosting McCord on a visit on Monday with the hopes of finding a true star passer for coach Matt Rhule.

McCord shocked some when he was one of the first to enter his name into the transfer portal this offseason. A third-team All-Big Ten member by both the coaches and media, the Philadelphia, Pa., native started all 12 games for the Buckeyes this season. McCord was second in the Big Ten in both passing yards (3,170) and touchdowns (24) this past season in his first year as a starter.

While his stats weren’t bad, many weren’t entirely impressed with his performances at the helm for Ohio State. All season, the Buckeyes seemed to slightly underperform given their talent on offense. Plus, Ohio State was once again unable to solve Michigan in The Game.

While maybe not the most dynamic quarterback in the nation, McCord would appear to be a massive upgrade for Rhule’s squad. The lack of a passer really held the Cornhuskers back in his first year at the helm.

No quarterback on Nebraska’s roster eclipsed 1,000 passing yards or completed 60% of their passes. Georgia Tech transfer Jeff Sims was a massive bust, looking completely lost right away. He quickly lost his starting position and is now looking for another job in the transfer portal.

Kyle McCord may be a part of a package deal as well, with reports of former Buckeyes wide receiver Julian Fleming visiting in Lincoln as well. Fleming is a former five-star recruit and was 247Sports’ top wide receiver in the 2020 recruiting class. A new passer and pass catcher may be just what the doctor ordered in Lincoln.

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Brian Burns asked if HC firings impact his desire to stay with Panthers

Panthers OLB Brian Burns, who is still without a long-term deal, was asked if the team’s instability at the HC position is impacting his desire to stay in Carolina.

ESPN’s David Newton went fishing on Thursday afternoon, but Brian Burns wasn’t biting.

On Monday, the Carolina Panthers fired their second head coach in as many seasons—parting ways with Frank Reich after just an 11-game stint. Following this afternoon’s practice, Newton asked the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher if the team’s instability at the position is impacting his desire to stay with the organization.

Here’s the “answer” he got from Burns, who is still without a long-term extension:

Burns was selected by Carolina in the first round of the 2019 draft. Since then, he’s experienced five more head coaches than he has winning seasons. (He’s had five head coaches.)

The 25-year-old outside linebacker has now played under Reich, Matt Rhule and Ron Rivera as well as interim coaches Steve Wilks and, now, Chris Tabor.

He did, however, give his thoughts on Reich.

“I hate to see him go,” he said in the locker room. “Me and Coach Frank had a good relationship.”

Burns is currently on the final year of his rookie contract.

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David Tepper misses the mark in uncomfortably short press conference

David Tepper’s uncomfortably brief presser on Tuesday encapsulated his run as Panthers owner — it missed the mark and left much to be desired.

Bank of America Stadium has not hosted a playoff game in David Tepper’s five-and-a-half-year tenure as the owner of the Carolina Panthers. But hey, at least they got Beyoncé to come this past summer.

In what may become an annual in-season “state of the team” address, Tepper held a press conference on Tuesday morning to close the door on his latest project — head coach Frank Reich, who was fired on Monday.

Reich became the third head coach Tepper has booted since he purchased the Panthers in 2018. And not only is the dismissal Carolina’s second in as many seasons, but it also marks the NFL’s shortest head-coaching tenure (11 games) in nearly 50 years.

So, surely, Tepper had a lot to say about what went wrong, why it went wrong and what he’ll do to make sure it doesn’t go wrong again, right? Right?

Well . . .

For the encore to his debacle of 2022’s public beheading of Matt Rhule, kind of like how aspiring stand-up comedian Brendan Schaub followed You’d Be Surprised with The Gringo Papi, Tepper gave us 13 minutes and 58 seconds of discomfort. (We would’ve snuck a Beyoncé reference in there to keep on our theme, but the Queen pumps out nothing but masterpieces.)

Anyway, Tepper’s short offering was far from ***flawless.

Headlining the brief question-and-answer session was a lack of, well, questions. Just ask Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer, who feels like he was frozen out of the press conference despite being a very visible and very willing participant. (Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Fowler has been critical of Tepper’s missteps.)

Tepper also pulled out one of his greatest hits from last year when he came to his own defense of his business acumen by taking credit for bringing music back to Charlotte. This time, he sought praise for bringing music and one game of Lionel Messi to Charlotte.

Yes, promoting the economic development in the city has been a successful venture for Tepper and company. And yes, rocking out to The Rolling Stones, Luke Combs and Sasha Fierce, and witnessing the greatest soccer megastar of all time, were special moments at 800 South Mint St.

At the end of the day, however, that stadium is the home of the Carolina Panthers — and business has not been booming for the Panthers.

Tepper has now owned the team for six seasons — each of which has resulted in a losing record. Over that span, they’ve won 30 out of their 93 games (the second-fewest in the NFL). By the end of this season, they will have played 22 of their 99 outings under an interim head coach.

Ironically enough, the man who once displayed a pair of brass balls in his office did not bring the stones (not Mick Jagger, Keith Richards or Ronnie Wood) to face more of that music this morning. Instead, we got a drive-by that encapsulated his tenure — because it missed the mark and left much to be desired.

There’s no doubt that Tepper has had a difficult time endearing himself to fans, some of which he’s referred to as basement dwellers on multiple occasions. And there’s also no doubt that he, with every ounce in his being, wants to bring a winner to the Carolinas.

But as he continues his winding road in learning how to do so, Tepper is turning the organization’s sweet dreams into a beautiful nightmare . . . minus the “beautiful” part.

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David Tepper doesn’t think his firings will deter future HC candidates

Panthers owner David Tepper after firing his third HC in six years: Nobody ever leaves me

David Tepper’s reign as owner of the Carolina Panthers has produced three more canned head coaches than it has winning seasons. David Tepper has canned three head coaches.

A day after adding Frank Reich to his graveyard, Tepper held what may be becoming his annual midseason state of the union address this morning. So, as he’s proven to have a pretty itchy trigger finger, does the billionaire owner think future head-coaching candidates will be deterred by his past moves?

He answered that rather simply.

“No,” he replied.

He was then asked why he believes that.

“Again, I’m not gonna get into it here,” he said. “But I think there are different reasons why different things happened in each case. Like I said, everything is out on the field, everything is known over time—and I think people know, the league knows it and people in the league know it.

“If everything was perfect, it wouldn’t be the case. And if everything was good, it wouldn’t be the case. So it’s not as if it’s not known out there. That will be something for people to decide.”

Tepper decided to dismiss Reich after just 11 games, a run that resulted in an NFL-worst 1-10 record. Reich, the very first quarterback in franchise history and a well-respected play-caller, was targeted by Tepper to strike an offensive renaissance in Carolina.

That, obviously, did not happen. Through 12 weeks, the Panthers rank 30th in total offense and 29th in points per game.

Reich’s firing marked Tepper’s third in his six years at the helm, with Ron Rivera being his first victim in 2019 and Matt Rhule his second just last season. Nonetheless, Tepper wanted to make it clear that he’s capable of running a perfectly functioning ship.

“Just generally speaking, and not here and not that this matters ’cause this is here,” he added. “But in other aspects of my life, we have people for 20, 30 years that work for me. Nobody ever leaves me.”

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