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Potential offensive coordinators for the 2017 Carolina Panthers

electro's horse

By electro's horse,
in Carolina Panthers

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electro's horse Grand Master

electro's horse

Posted
Posted

Ignoring the body of work, an offensive collapse of this magnitude will require a head on a pike. Assuming that head is going to be Mike Shula's, the Panthers will offer an attractive package to a potential coach. The main questions faced by DG and Ron Rivera are as follows. 

  • Do they want to promote from within? When Chud left, the Panthers ostensibly valued consistency over competency. Even though Shula's version of the offense was much different than Chud's, the terminology was similar, and it didn't require a new coaching staff, new language, new schemes, etc.
  • Do they go with an up and comer, or do they find a retread? There's something to be said about hiring someone you don't have to worry about getting poached. Coaching turnover is unpredictable and can hurt the team (see Cincinnati) and the Panthers don't like that. 
  • Will this person be given a long leash, or install what Rivera wants? With the exception of Chud, for the last decade and a half the offensive coordinator for the Panthers has served at the behest of the coach, not the offense. People like Shula, Davidson, and to a lesser extent Dan Henning were there to run what the coach wanted and how they wanted it.

Without further ado.....

Internal Promotions

Ricky Proehl

Been with the team as a coach since 2011, played for the team, Wake Forest alum, well thought of with the coaching staff. Young, up and comer, knows the team and players, knows the offense. Loved by the Richardson family as well as the players. Would not be here long. There are eyes on Ricky, and he'd be a headcoach and take god knows who with him. Also might pose a threat to Ron Rivera. Tampa Bay has set a dangerous precedent promoting Dirk Koetter after firing the man that hired him. Can't imagine Ron would like an OC who gained fame playing in the greatest show on turf. Might be the Mike McCoy to John Matsko's Jeff Davidson.

Verdict: Probably the most exciting internal hire. Doubt it happens. 

Ken Dorsey

Won a National Championship with Miami when they had an entire NFL team playing college ball for one season. Has been with Cam since his lockout workouts in Florida. During a skills competition against Steve Beurelein, tore his rotator cuff trying to throw for distance (I am not kidding. I watched this happen live). Trusted by Cam and Shula. Detroit has set precedent with unlikely promotions, sending the amazingly named Jim Bob Cooter from OC to QB coach and having great success. Has failed to develop Cam's intermediate passing game. More a cerebral coach, not a physical one. Wouldn't say Ken ever had a cannon.

Verdict: Difficult to see him being promoted over Ricky if they go that route. 

John Matsko

"Running Game Coordinator," the same title once held by infamous Jeff Davidson. Has been around the NFL forever. Been part of some pretty impressive teams. Been involved in some of the best running games of all time. Instrumental in getting the Panthers to bring in Michael Oher. Did magic in 2015. Well respected on the staff. Unlikely he has much ambition to jump for a head coaching spot if things go well. Offensive line has fallen off a cliff this year, and Trai Turner has regressed. Very likely nothing would change under him. Unclear how actual in game coaching would change. Unclear how well he would do without Cam as a battering ram, which is a transition the next offensive coordinator would have to make. 

Verdict: if its internal, I bet it's Matsko.

 

People not currently unemployed.

 

Mike McCoy - head coach San Diego Chargers

Not fired, but its coming. History with the team. Was the "passing game coordinator" forced out by Fox because he was a threat (which Fox is doing again btw). Been a successful offensive coordinator everywhere he's gone. Did great work in San Diego before finding himself out of his depth as a Head Coach. Basically the horse whisperer for Jake Delhomme. Him leaving was the beginning of the end for Jake. Installed a very Norv Turner esque vertical passing attack. Is a disaster as a head coach. Unsure how he would feel about coming back to Carolina after they forced him out. No real history with Ron Rivera or David Gettleman that I can see.

Verdict: This makes sense if Rivera is willing to step back from the offense. Always great to hire people with talent right after they fail as a head coach.

Wade Wilson - QB Coach Dallas Cowboys

Image result for deadpool

Been around forever. Went to the Pro Bowl as a Viking in the early nineties. As a coach, been involved in some of Romo's best seasons, and was instrumental in the development of Dak Prescott this year. While Ron Rivera was DC in Chicago, he was the Quarterbacks coach. Has always been part of offenses that run the ball, and know how to get the most out of their passer in that offense. Lots of Dallas coaches are going to get looked at after this season, and he makes the most sense for Carolina. Jerry likes former players. Has never been more than a qb coach. Would be an outside the box hire. No telling who he'd bring in or keep. If there's any owner in the league who will pay to keep assistant coaches, it's Jerry. 

Verdict: outside the box. Can't see it happening. 

Rob Chudzinski - Offensive Coordinator Indianapolis Colts

Assuming everyone is shown the door in Indy, but you never know with their owner. The drama option. Cam's offensive coordinator for his first two years in the league. Helped Cam run away with Rookie of the year. Installed an aggressive two tight end system. Used Cam as a running quarter back, and not a throwing running back. Very well thought of all over the league. Took an ill advised career move going to Cleveland, where he promptly got shafted. Would require a whole bunch of people coming together and admitting they made some mistakes. Lots of rumors about him were leaked after he left, primarily that he didn't take the 2012 season very seriously and was just trying to put stuff on film to bolt for a head coaching job. Rivera would see him as a threat. 

Verdict: oooooooooooo it's juicy. This would be a slap in Rivera's face, but Gettleman might not give a poo. 

Hue Jackson - Head Coach Cleveland Browns

Again, this would require a house cleaning in Cleveland. Hue has been an offensive coordinator forever and had success everywhere he's gone. Failed twice as a head coach so that itch might have been scratched. Was interviewed for the position in Carolina after the 2012 season. Is a little....abrasive. Would not come here just to run whatever Ron Rivera wanted. Famously sent a first to Cincinnati for Carson Palmer in exchange for a job with the Bengals the following year. Has an ego. Probably wouldn't mesh well with the existing power structure.

Verdict: Again, slap in Rivera's face. Again, DG might not care. 

 

Alright, let's get to the retreads

 

Norv - Golfing

Norv Turner is a hall of fame coach. Recently resigned from the Vikings as the offense crumbled underneath him and they just didn't have the players to do what he wanted to do. Has coached everywhere. Been in charge of some of the greatest offenses of all time. Has his own coaching tree. Worked over Ron Rivera in San Diego. Has been a hideous failure as a head coach and I can't imagine he wants to do it anymore. Was recently mentioned by name by Ron Rivera. The kind of coach with the gravitas to run his own system. Would not be running Shula's offense, that's for damn sure. Would require Cam Newton to grow as a passer in a way the current regime has been shielding him from. Would require substantial investment into the offensive line. Everything would be brand new. 

Verdict: If they go big, this is it. This would either make or break Cam. 

Ron Turner - Unemployed

This would be a return to the NFL for Ron. Was around forever. Had two stints as the OC for the Chicago Bears. Was on the Super Bowl team and worked with Ron Rivera. Never had a lot by way of offensive talent. But ho man would this be a retread. Possibly the least inspiring hiring they could make. Don't ask Bears fans what they think of him.

Verdict: This thread will be about the head coach in 2018 if they hire him. 

Mike Martz - Unemployed

Apparently has the itch. Linked to the Rams head coaching job. Coordinated one of the greatest offenses in NFL history. Is clever with the run, likes to stretch the field with the pass. Hasn't had any real coaching success in over a decade. Ran the Bears offense into the ground. Got rid of a top three tight end for peanuts. Unclear if he can be successful without four hall of famers on offense. No real connections to anyone on the staff. More connecting dots than anything. 

Verdict: I can't see this happening. 

Greg Roman - Unemployed

Former Panthers assistant. Coordinated the power running juggernaut niners offense before Jed York blew it up. Got caught up in the Rex Ryan Buffalo Bills saga this season and was fired after his offense gave up 37 points to the jets. 

Verdict: Makes some sense. 

 

What's going on in college? College hires are difficult because of the recruiting schedule. Getting someone from the college ranks to take a demotion in the NFL isn't always easy. But just two names that have to be mentioned...

 

David Cutcliffe - Head Coach Duke

The QB whisperer. Peyton Manning qb coach at Tennessee, Eli's head coach at Ole Miss. Connections with David Gettleman through the 2004 Eli draft. Arguably the smartest man in college football. Every coach speaks of him with veneration. Currently exiled to the ACC because Tennessee's program is in the gutter. Gets players he has no business recruiting at Duke of all places just because he knows he can develop them. Got a Duke QB into the NFL for poo's sake. If he was brought in, it would be with the sole purpose of fixing Cam Newton's mechanics and mid range passing. He's just right down the road. Would be out of the box hire as hell. UNC fans would be thrilled so they wouldn't have to watch his teams leave tread marks all over the Heels. 

Verdict: oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please

Gus Malzahn - Head Coach Auburn Tigers

Won the National Championship with Cam at QB. Another HC genius. High School football legend in Alabama, which actually means something. Runs a variation of the read option. Shine has come off him in recent years. Is getting slaughtered in recruiting by Nick Saban. Very outside the box hire. Difficult to see how his game would transition, especially after the failure of Chip Kelly.

verdict: 4 years ago maybe. I don't see him running an offense that doesn't get Cam killed.

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SOJA Veteran

SOJA

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Another great thread Fiz. 

I truly hope that IF Shula does get fired, and while I think it's obvious he needs to go, that' is still a huge IF with Rivera and Jerry running the show, we should NOT hire from within. 

We went for consistency over radical change this time. We've got a LONG offseason for our offensive players to get down a new scheme. 

Cutcliffe is a really interesting idea and I would love him. Coming from a UNC alum I laughed at the bit against us, but you couldn't be more right. He's a fantastic coach. 

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DaveThePanther2008 Grand Master

DaveThePanther2008

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1 hour ago, electro's horse said:

Ignoring the body of work, an offensive collapse of this magnitude will require a head on a pike. Assuming that head is going to be Mike Shula's, the Panthers will offer an attractive package to a potential coach. The main questions faced by DG and Ron Rivera are as follows. 

  • Do they want to promote from within? When Chud left, the Panthers ostensibly valued consistency over competency. Even though Shula's version of the offense was much different than Chud's, the terminology was similar, and it didn't require a new coaching staff, new language, new schemes, etc.
  • Do they go with an up and comer, or do they find a retread? There's something to be said about hiring someone you don't have to worry about getting poached. Coaching turnover is unpredictable and can hurt the team (see Cincinnati) and the Panthers don't like that. 
  • Will this person be given a long leash, or install what Rivera wants? With the exception of Chud, for the last decade and a half the offensive coordinator for the Panthers has served at the behest of the coach, not the offense. People like Shula, Davidson, and to a lesser extent Dan Henning were there to run what the coach wanted and how they wanted it.

Without further ado.....

Alright, let's get to the retreads

Norv - Golfing

Norv Turner is a hall of fame coach. Recently resigned from the Vikings as the offense crumbled underneath him and they just didn't have the players to do what he wanted to do. Has coached everywhere. Been in charge of some of the greatest offenses of all time. Has his own coaching tree. Worked over Ron Rivera in San Diego. Has been a hideous failure as a head coach and I can't imagine he wants to do it anymore. Was recently mentioned by name by Ron Rivera. The kind of coach with the gravitas to run his own system. Would not be running Shula's offense, that's for damn sure. Would require Cam Newton to grow as a passer in a way the current regime has been shielding him from. Would require substantial investment into the offensive line. Everything would be brand new. 

Verdict: If they go big, this is it. This would either make or break Cam. 

Mike Martz - Unemployed

Apparently has the itch. Linked to the Rams head coaching job. Coordinated one of the greatest offenses in NFL history. Is clever with the run, likes to stretch the field with the pass. Hasn't had any real coaching success in over a decade. Ran the Bears offense into the ground. Got rid of a top three tight end for peanuts. Unclear if he can be successful without four hall of famers on offense. No real connections to anyone on the staff. More connecting dots than anything. 

Verdict: I can't see this happening. 

To me.  Norv Turner is the best option if we are looking for improvement without changing too much.   I think the loyalty to Shula won't matter as much if he hires Turner because they go back further than Shula and Rivera does. 

I would seriously think about not watching the Panthers if they bring in Martz.  Remember he was the one who traded a third round pick for Greg Olsen because he doesn't use a tight end.  I don't see us taking away Cam's favorite/most reliable  target.

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chknwing Veteran

chknwing

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Personally i think the secondary coach under Wilks gets the axe.   Carolina is a run first team with a powerful defense to grind out wins.  Their not going to hire a new oc to call the grind it out play style carolina uses.  As much as we hate shula hes not the main issue or the reason for losing this season.  Carolina could not stop teams from scoring.  Rivera made no adjustments.  Secondary players including vets were out of position and took bad angles. U cant put that all on the rookies, thats coaching.  I would look for a shakeup on the defensive coaching staff.

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