ProcessBlue2

As we continue our look at potential candidates over the next 11 days we now discuss one of the most controversial in the talent pool... Jim Harbaugh, HC- Michigan University Quite frankly, I only see Harbaugh getting beat out by one dude if he really wants the job in Charlotte and we will get to that guy tomorrow… Jim is a winner. Known for weird quirks and being an asshole. An Ohio native, he would be the QB for Michigan before going into the NFL and bouncing around as a journeyman (once playing for the Panthers like somebody else we know). He started coaching in 2002 under Bill Callahan and would have his first HC job in just 2 years at San Diego University where he would go 29-6. In 2007 he would join Stanford turning their program around. In 2007 Stanford would go 4-8 followed by 5-7 in 2008, 8-5 in 2009, and 12-1 in 2010 while claiming an Orange Bowl victory. In 2011 he was hired by the 49ers. He took a 49ers team that had not been to the playoffs since 2002 to 3 consecutive NFC Championship games including 1 SB appearance. Finishing 13-3, 11-4-1, and 12-4. Rumors circulated that his relationship with owner Jed York soured in 2014 and he would be fired at the end of an 8-8 season. He finished with a 49-14-1 regular season record, 5-3 post season record, 2 division titles and 1 conference title over 4 years. He returned to the NCAA as HC of his alma mater (Michigan) where he has compiled a 60-17 record over 9 years and 3 consecutive conference titles. The 59-year-old is known for his strong personality and odd quirks. He has been rumored to love milk. Even being photographed drinking a tall glass of milk at a restaurant with his steak. He can usually be seen walking up and down the sidelines of the Michigan games with his famous khaki pants and large chunk of tobacco in his jaw. He has even been rumored to appear at practice and coach shirtless or climb trees in his recruits’ back yards and sleep over at their houses. In one interview it was noted that he met executives at a hotel bar. Once he arrived, he removed his jacket, loosened his tie, emptied a can of soda, placed a fat dip in his mouth and used the can as a spittoon while he talked. If Tepper wants to win, this is the guy that will do it. However, it will require control. He will have to step back and let Harbaugh work his ways. Harbaugh has the personality to tell Tepper and whatever figurehead GM is put in place what he thinks. Money is not going to be a motivator for Harbaugh, a championship will be, and he will want everyone out of his way. It is reported that Harbaugh called Tepper multiple times last season to “discuss” the job but neither seemed interested at the time. Would Harbaugh come to Carolina? Well maybe under the right circumstances. Would Tepper hire Harbaugh? Well maybe under the right circumstances. I feel like Tepper is at the point of wanting to win where he doesn’t care about another ego in the room. Harbaugh is this year’s Sean Payton which seems to be working out well in Denver. The only thing that worries me about Harbaugh coming to Charlotte, is what the inevitable break up will be like.

Over the next two weeks, I will be posting a brief synopsis each day of the likely Head Coach candidates for the Panthers. Most probably won't care but maybe some will actually learn something or bring some interesting perspective. Starting with.... Frank Smith, OC- Miami Dolphins The 42-year-old Miami Dolphins OC has gained popularity this year. Smith was born and raised in Wisconsin and went to school at Miami (Ohio). He would stay there a few years as a graduate assistant before joining Butler's coaching staff and eventually working his way up to OC. He would work for the Saints under Sean Payton from 2010-2014 as the Assistant OL coach before taking a role in Chicago as TEs coach under John Fox from 2015-2017. After Fox’s firing Smith would join Jon Gruden in Oakland at the same position for the next 3 years. He would earn a lot of credit during his time with the Raiders for the development of TE Darren Waller. In 2021, Brandon Staley would hire him as Run Game Coordinator and OL Coach. That season the Chargers would rank 4th in total offense and 21st in rushing. In 2022 Mike McDaniel hired Smith to be his Offensive Coordinator in Miami. In 2022 the Dolphins ranked 6th in total offense and are currently 1st in 2023. Hiring Smith seems interesting to me. If Smith could pull off for Bryce what McDaniel did in Miami for Tua that would be ideal. The offensive scheme in Miami is one that Bryce would likely thrive under. So, what are red flags? Well Smith has never been a play caller. Many worry that the offense is so micromanaged by Mike McDaniel that Frank Smith is nothing more than a figurehead. After all it was rumored among the Dolphin's community that McDaniel neglected the Defense almost entirely last season, infuriating the front office and motivating them to pay Vic Fangio a ridiculous amount of money to manage that side of the ball. But just dismissing Smith for not calling plays? Eh, you could have said the same about Mike McDaniel in his years under Kyle Shanahan. My biggest concern about Smith, even going back in time before his press conference where he teared up at the notion of becoming a head coach is his reputation for being such a nice guy. No, I’m not bashing him for being nice. The Carolina Panthers may be the softest and most undisciplined team in the entire league, I don’t feel that Mr. Humility is going to be the guy they need to get things right- maybe later but not now. Besides, there have been enough “good guy” yes men in the role and I think it will take a strong personality to hold his ground against this front office- mainly the owner. Smith is well-liked among Chargers fans and many would like to have him back now that Brandon Staley is unemployed. What are your thoughts about Frank Smith?

Only way I could see him coming here would be if he didn’t have any other option. The Panthers are in such shambles I wouldn’t be opposed to somebody like him coming in for 2-3 with very low expectations and showing the Front Office what they are supposed to do and setting some type of foundation of culture for the team even if we sit a .500 a few seasons. That would be an improvement and would attract better candidates and players.

Falcons fans

I wish we the Panthers had a similar leadership structure as the Packers where the team was publicly owned with a CEO.

It’s almost as if he’s a ………

Colts DB or John Fox pet WR that lingered on the team in the late 00s?

2001 was a much more competitive team week by week. 1998 was probably about the same level as 01 they just finished a few more close games better.

I’m really not opposed to that

He just really really wants to surpass Don Shula

It might help us, maybe a corner will slip.

Hell he barely got that in a dome in Louisiana last week.

“That guy you bought the team from” -Scott Fitterer probably

Miami and Pittsburgh had like a 3-0 game one year in conditions like that

2023’s defense would give them a slight edge. 2010 was pretty damn bad. If the two played it would look a lot like the Cardinals game that year.

Yeah I peaked in here a few years ago to read some posts and some guy was getting humiliated for questioning Scott Fitterer’s CJ Henderson trade. I come back and he’s Public Enemy number 2

I don’t think it’s going to happen this weekend. Check the weather

Around the time Levis was taken. Early 2nd-ish. I hate to say it but Levis probably goes to the Colts. -CAR: Stroud -HOU: Richardson -IND: Levis

I'm not sure anywhere like that would take him. I feel like he will have to go somewhere like Washington, Carolina, maybe one of the other NFC South jobs.

The old Panthers are dead. It started dying when Tepper bought the team and the last of them died when Wilks was not kept. It's not coming back either. Eventually there will be a new culture and new Panthers come out of it. How long it will take is the mystery but it WILL happen with new people, stories, and moments. People need to let the past go, its not coming back. Time to focus on what they next generation is going to be.

My advice to young would be to brush up on college football commentating. He isn't going to do anything if a team doesn't use 80% of it's resources on the offensive side of the ball.

He has had some decent picks. He's better than Fitterer but I think there will be better out there.

Bill Cowher is a whole 6 years younger. Too bad he would never stoop that low.

Yeah the underdog theme and all the close wins made 2003 seem magical. The second half of the Super Bowl really made it feel like they were going to pull off a similar comeback like they had all season. Made it even more disappointing at the end.

He will always be limited to certain systems and passing concepts.