The Panthers already have a head coaching vacancy, and there’s an expectation that he’ll soon have an opening at general manager. Unsurprisingly, it sounds like Panthers owner David Tepper isn’t wasting any time preparing for his next big hires.
[RELATED: Panthers Likely To Fire GM Scott Fitterer]
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tepper has been working with consulting firm Sportsology, which is led by former Chelsea FC executive Mike Forde. As Joe Person of The Athletic notes, Forde recently helped Tepper with his Charlotte FC coaching search, and the executive has also worked with the Rams, 49ers, and Falcons. For what it’s worth, Tepper didn’t rely on a consulting firm when he hired Matt Rhule and Frank Reich.
While Scott Fitterer sounds like he’s at risk of losing his job, the general manager’s replacement could already be in the building. Per Schefter, Panthers assistant GM Dan Morgan has “support within the organization” to take over the full-time gig. There’s also a chance Fitterer sticks around the organization…at least temporarily. Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes that the GM could “help with some of the transition” to a new head coach.
Of course, whoever takes over at GM will face a tough task of turning around the franchise. The Panthers have already traded their first-round pick (which ultimately came in at No. 1) to the Bears in order to draft Bryce Young, who struggled throughout his rookie campaign. With limited draft resources and a roster that’s lacking top-end talent, the next GM will surely require a multi-year rebuild to get the Panthers back on track.
As for the replacement for the ousted Reich, Russini writes that Tepper is expected to “try again” to hire Ben Johnson. The Lions offensive coordinator is expected to be a popular name on the coaching circuit, just as he was last offseason. In fact, Johnson was at one time considered the front runner for the Panthers job before he dropped out of the race to stay in Detroit.
I can’t imagine why Ben Johnson, probly with several options, would ever choose Tepper and the Panthers for his first HC job.
$$$$$$$
He’ll get paid anywhere. He’s highly paid now in Detroit. No way would I work for Tepper.
If I was Ben Johnson I would call someone in the Panthers organization and talk to anyone but Tepper and let them know I’m not interested. Stay away from that clownshow!
He should sell the team. Looks like it’s becoming Daniel Snyder 2.0
Yikes! Snyder wasn’t ousted from the NFL for making bad hiring and roster decisions, he was a super creep that created a toxic environment that was untenable for the organization and the NFL. I think that once you spend billions of dollars on a sports franchise, you can make any personnel choices that you want to. Comparing this situation to Snyder seems like a stretch.
What about the horrible parts of Tepoer that have nothing to do with his personnel choices?
Do they rise to the level of sexual harassment like in Washington? Being a terrible person and being a sexual deviant have some overlap, but are not the same thing. If he is being accused of sexual misconduct, then get rid of him. If this is about dumping a drink on somebody, then maybe not Snyder level.
Don’t forget the sewage pipes in DC dumped dump on the fans a few years back!
Reckon you were employed within that office structure to ascertain those conclusions?
Doubt the ‘rumors and innuendos’ are 100% accurate as it’s been show mainstream media promotes falsehoods and conjecture as being God like honesty.
As for Tepper, his quick ‘pull the rug from under coaches’ doesn’t bode for a stable mentality as does throwing a glass of liquid onto a ‘fan’ attending a game. ‘Adult’ Owners should have restraint enough to endure criticism that might be a personal viewpoint from passionate team supporter.
I’m not sure anyone would disagree with that. I guess I’m surprised that folks are surprised that billionaires who own sports franchises are entitled jerks that have no regard for others and have never faced consequences for their actions. If being a bottom hole is the standard for forcing an owner to sell their team, then all the owners should be forced to sell them. Comparing drink throwing to what happened in Washington really minimizes what was happening there.
This narrative of “he should sell the team” is lame, boring and lazy. You think he bought the team to just sell it right back for no profit? Give the team some time to rebuild. Panthers fans are so mediocre at loyalty
It’s going to be tough to work for that maniac. He’s throwing drinks on random people. Dropping F bombs leaving the locker room like a crazy person and then promptly firing the last guy halfway through his first year. Yeah, people are just itching to sign up for that. Just from his appearance on that in season NFL show when he first bought the team, you can just tell he’s the type who doesn’t know how to talk to people and thinks that makes him an “alpha” male or whatever the latest buzzword is. Then, he thinks that’s supposed to make people perform better.
“It’s time for me to make my mark on the franchise.”
I remember specifically when I heard Tepper say that.
I feel like the Panthers could just be used as leverage for HC candidates to get higher salaries.
Tepper should bring back Ron Rivera – as he’s pretty good at letting his owner walk all over him.
The Panthers would’ve better served if they fire the owner, David Tepper.
It was a consulting firm that told the Browns that Hue Jackson was the best HC candidate available. Tepper might be better off just throwing darts at a list on the wall.
Hue Jackson is the coach the Panthers deserve, not the coach they need.
Ben Johnson.. for your sake, sanity and overall coaching credentials you owe it to yourself to stay away from that franchise. Working for that owner will take years off your life with his meddling ways. Stay in Detroit for a few years your in a good situation there
I’d offer Mr. Johnson should consider the opportunity with the Chargers in lieu of that team pursuing others.
Like the Spano’s are quality owners? Been losing for decades.
Compared to Tepper Spanos family are saints.
Tepper is short tempered and impatient
Spanos is too patient and should have been madder at times throughout the last 20 years
Spanos haven’t ever won. Decades of proof for that statement. I’d pass on that job.
There’s worse jobs. Plus you’re guaranteed job security for 3+ years regardless how you perform. Heck you get a couple playoff appearances out of Herbert you could be a hc for 5+ years. Think of it as a minor league coaching job. Nick Siriani and Shane Steichen spent time here before moving on to bigger better things.
Sure. If you’re in for the money only; Jets, Cards, Jags, Chargers, Raiders, Falcons…. Plenty of constantly losing teams. But if you want to build a winning franchise avoid those teams. Parity my backside.
No sane person should take the HC or GM job working for Tepper no matter how much money is thrown their way. Tepper makes every other bad owner look good based on how horrific he is
Why would anyone take that job
For a truck load of money! I’ll do it for half of whatever they pay whomever takes that job!
I doubt panthers will have stability for years with an antsy owner .
I moved from San Diego to Charlotte three years ago. It sucks going from a city that lost their team to a city 80 miles up the road to a city with the worst team and owner in the nfl. I know every team goes through rebuilds and tough years but it makes it so much harder to support with this clown in charge
For all the hate dumped on the Chargers and family Spanos it’s about $$$ and fan support. Chargers didn’t generate enough money in SD to remain viable and their move to LA hasn’t increased the fan base locally as they’d hoped.
It’s possible the Spanos are not as astute at money management as others or it could be that CA taxes eat up too much revenue for a ‘shared’ fan base.