The Carolina Panthers have hit rock bottom. Sunday’s loss guaranteed they would finish in last place in the NFC South for the first time since 2016. It also dropped them to No. 26 in Touchdown Wire’s weekly power rankings. Here’s what they had to say about the coaching situation.
“The Panthers might be in the most disarray they’ve been in since coach George Seifert’s final year, a 1-15 season in 2001. Interim coach Perry Fewell hasn’t come close to winning a game since taking over when Ron Rivera was fired. It’s become obvious that Fewell will not get the permanent job.”
Indeed. As to who will get the job, we finally have some concrete reporting. Former Packers coach Mike McCarthy has been a rumored candidate for several weeks. Yesterday, Adam Schefter at ESPN reported the team interviewed him for the head coach opening Sunday.
Based on our Twitter mentions, most fans would be… not thrilled if McCarthy is hired. That group should not panic too much as of yet. McCarthy has some Pittsburgh connections, which gives him a link with team owner David Tepper. However, right now his biggest advantage is availability. Because he’s out of the league McCarthy can interview, whereas candidates who are in the middle of a playoff run like Greg Roman cannot.
McCarthy had an impressive run of success with the Packers when Aaron Rodgers was at his peak (Monday night’s game indicates that’s definitely past). At one point, they made the playoffs eight years in a row, peaking with a Super Bowl win in the 2010 season.
Then again, when Rodgers was at his best it would have been hard for most NFL coaches not to do well. By the end of his time in Green Bay, McCarthy’s offensive concepts were coming under heavy criticism and Rodgers seemed tuned out.
Coaches can improve just like any player, though. If McCarthy has earnestly spent the last year self-scouting and trying to improve he might be much better. Whether it’s in Carolina or somewhere else, odds are McCarthy will get a chance to prove himself again.
For now, the search will continue.
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