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Backfilling at LB Coach...

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
Posted

...might be a pretty easy process, should Al Holcomb indeed follow Sean McDermott to Buffalo.

Two former Rivera colleagues, both of whom have a solid resumé as linebacker coaches and defensive coordinators, are expected to be available.

John Pagano was the defensive coordinator on the recently dismissed Mike McCoy's Charger staff. Pagano was linebacker coach under Rivera in San Diego and took over as DC once Rivera got the Panthers job.

The more likely choice in my opinion? Recent San Diego LB Coach Bob Babich. Babich and Rivera go way back to his days as Bears DC. There was a little bit of an issue with Lovie Smith given that Smith wanted Babich as his DC but was pressured by the Bears to hire Rivera instead. Smith later replaced Rivera with Babich by letting Rivera's contract expire without discussing an extension.

That situation aside, there doesn't really appear to be any direct enmity between Rivera and Babich. This is evidenced by the fact that Rivera tried to hire Babich a few years ago. Babich, however, got a better offer.

Of those two, I'd expect Babich, but either way, we've got a good shot of getting a great LB coach.

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FootballLivesMatter Newbie

FootballLivesMatter

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11 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

...might be a pretty easy process, should Al Holcomb indeed follow Sean McDermott to Buffalo.

Two former Rivera colleagues, both of whom have a solid resumé as linebacker coaches and defensive coordinators, are expected to be available.

John Pagano was the defensive coordinator on the recently dismissed Mike McCoy's Charger staff. Pagano was linebacker coach under Rivera in San Diego and took over as DC once Rivera got the Panthers job.

The more likely choice in my opinion? Recent San Diego LB Coach Bob Babich. Babich and Rivera go way back to his days as Bears DC. There was a little bit of an issue with Lovie Smith given that Smith wanted Babich as his DC but was pressured by the Bears to hire Rivera instead. Smith later replaced Rivera with Babich by letting Rivera's contract expire without discussing an extension.

That situation aside, there doesn't really appear to be any direct enmity between Rivera and Babich. This is evidenced by the fact that Rivera tried to hire Babich a few years ago. Babich, however, got a better offer.

Of those two, I'd expect Babich, but either way, we've got a good shot of getting a great LB coach.

Quit with these stupid speculation threads

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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2 minutes ago, jayflip said:

Mr Scot, as always, thank you for the great insight on potential coaching candidates to backfill the (soon to be) vacated roles. 

 

Happy to assist.

Neglected to mention Pagano is the brother of Colts HC Chuck Pagano.

Also noteworthy, Babich has significantly more experience.

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