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Staff options if Rhule stays...

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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Let's say Matt Rhule gets another year but is pressured to make changes on his staff. Who goes and who stays?

Like Ron Rivera, Rhule is known to be fiercely loyal to "his people", i.e. the ones who've followed him through his previous stops. He's stated before that he doesn't believe in firing assistants at all, but history has demonstrated that he's more agreeable to letting someone go if they're not "his guy" (case in point: dumping experienced NFL defensive line coach Mike Phair and promoting his old Baylor assistant Frank Okam into that role).

So which members of the staff don't appear to fit the profile of Rhule's guys?

The following...

OC Joe Brady
TE Coach Brian Angelichio
OL Coach Pat Meyer
Pass Rush Coach Don Johnson    
ST Coach Chase Blackburn    

Couple of clarifications: QB Coach Sean Ryan, LB Coach Al Holcomb and Assistant OL Coach Tony Sparano Jr didn't work with Rhule in college but have connections to him via Rhule's year with the New York Giants. All three were on the Giants staff that season; Ryan as receivers coach, Gilbride and Holcomb as offensive and defensive assistants respectively (Gilbride's dad was the OC). Also, DB Coach Jason Simmons never worked with Rhule before that I know of, but did previously work with DC Phil Snow. My read would be that these guys are safe.

Honestly kinda doubt there'll be any changes on the defensive side of the ball unless someone leaves or retires (Phil Snow retiring would be a hoot) so Don Johnson is likely safe.

Checking out the others individually...

JOE BRADY

I think pretty much everybody (probably including Brady himself) believes he's gone. So who do you get to replace him?

Internal Options: If Rhule stays in house, which seems likely, the job likely goes to Sean Ryan. It was reported that he was Rhule's original choice for OC before Brady entered the picture. Wouldn't necessarily count out Jeff Nixon from this job though. He's also well liked by Rhule and they might prefer to keep Ryan where he is.

If they were to go outside the box though, where might they look?

Bills QB Coach Ken Dorsey: First name that comes to mind is the Bills QB Coach who used to work for the Panthers in the same role but has been far more successful since moving North. Dorsey would likely have Dan Morgan's endorsement, but he might also have a chance to follow Brian Daboll to his new destination if Daboll gets a head coaching job. So, kinda up in the air here...

Jaguars QB Coach Brian Schottenheimer: An old colleague of Scott Fitterer from his Seattle days but also a very well known name in the league (and not necessarily just because of his dad). Schottenheimer's had some success before and would be a good system fit as well so that could minimize the need for changes in personnel and overall scheme.

Former Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson: Easily the most successful option available, and again a great system fit. Throw in the added bonus of NFL head coaching experience plus a Panthers connection in Player Personnel VP Pat Stewart and this easily becomes my favorite choice (not expecting it to happen though).

Bears OC Bill Lazor: Another former Fitterer colleague from his time in Seattle. The Bears are almost universally considered the team most likely to clean house with their coaching staff. And despite his past few years under Nagy, Lazor is generally known as a good OC. Like Schottenheimer, he'd also be a good system fit. Honestly, I kinda like this idea better than i do Schottenheimer but that's more of a gut thing than any specific reason.

Raiders OC Greg Olson: If the Raiders part ways with their staff (a distinct possibility) then Olson would come available. Olson hasn't worked with Rhule, but he could at least potentially have an advocate in Phil Snow since he and Olson worked together for a year in Detroit. Snow's endorsement would mean a lot to Rhule, so this is one I could see happening. He'd also be a good QB Coach option if Ryan were promoted.

Former Giants OC Jason Garrett: This one's on name and availability alone because I don't know of any connections between Garrett and anyone currently with the Panthers. Hiring him as an OC seems unlikely, but as a backfill QB Coach if they were to promote Ryan? Maybe (and it might just be a better role for him).

Other possibilities: They could reach out to guys they previously interviewed like Cowboys QB Coach Ben McAdoo, former Cowboys and LSU coordinator Scott Linehan or former Cardinals OC Mike McCoy. I don't really think they will, but they could.

Expectation: Ryan or Nixon gets promoted and their position is backfilled.

 

PAT MEYER

Deserved or not, Meyer is the other most likely scapegoat. My guess is he can probably see the writing on the wall too. Who's his replacement?

Internal Options: Tony Sparano is a possibility here. He's never held a full fledged OL Coach job, but Rhule might believe he's ready.

Looking outside...

Giants Assistant Pat Flaherty: Going back again to someone who was being looked at for the job previously. Rhule was the assistant OL Coach to Flaherty back in New York so there's a natural connection. That's dependent on whether the Giants fire their staff, of course.

Raiders OL Coach Tom Cable: No Rhule connection here, but several years worth with Scott Fitterer and a rep for being one of the best line coaches in the league and again that added plus of something our staff could really use, NFL head coaching experience. So yeah, this one would make me pretty happy (which again means it probably won't happen, but hey...)

Bears OL Coach Juan Castillo: Another one that would make me do the happy dance. Again though, this is a "name only" thing. Castillo has no connections to the Panthers braintrust that I know of, but he's widely considered to be one of the best line coaches in the league. Getting him to Carolina would be a major positive in an area where we could really use one.

Broncos OL Coach Mike Munchak: Here's another "name and reputation option from a staff that's possibly on the firing line, but like Cable with the bonus. that Munchak has NFL head coaching experience,

Other possibilities: Rick Dennison could be available if the Vikings clean house, but that's not expected to happen right now. Again, no connections but a wealth of NFL coaching experience including time as an OC.

Expectation: Sparano, but I'd kill to see us get someone like Castillo, Cable or Munchak. Great blocking starts with great coaching, and these guys have got that in spades.

 

BRIAN ANGELICHIO

Does Angelichio deserve to be fired? I don't really think so but when you're looking for scapegoats and you need to dump someone who isn't a longtime friend, stuff happens. Any argument for dumping Angelichio likely rests on the failures of Ian Thomas, but the counter to that argument is Tommy Tremble (and arguably Dan Arnold, whom in my opinion we should have kept). This one's kinda 50-50 to me but I'll go ahead and address the negative 50 anyway.

Internal Options: This is one where the internal option is probably the most likely because Angelichio wasn't necessarily the first choice for the job and the guy who reportedly was is on staff in a different role. Specifically, current defensive analyst Kevin Gilbride Jr. It's not hard to imagine Rhule going with Gilbride using the excuse that Angelichio wasn't getting it done.

Outside options? Not a whole lot honestly, but there is one pretty good one.

Bears TE Coach Clancy Barone: Barone's been coaching since 1987 and has coached both tight ends and offensive line (where he could also be an option) at the NFL level since 2004. As before, no Panther connections that I know of but a very solid reputation.

Other possibilities: Giants TE Coach and interim OC Freddie Kitchens. As with others, no Panther connections I know of but he's got plenty of experience in this role and has had enough success as an OC to get a head coaching job.

Expectation: Gilbride, simple and easy, though whether or not that's the right move isn't quite as simple.

 

CHASE BLACKBURN

I'm torn on this one. Lord knows we've had special teams issues but you also have to give Blackburn at least some credit for Zane Gonzalez. It was reportedly Blackburn that helped him tweak his kickoffs to get more distance. Plus Panther fans are rejoicing over finally having a kicker.

But if he's chosen to fall on the sword, well...

Internal Options: Probably not good news for Blackburn that his job has a Rhule ally waiting in the wings. Ed Foley was with Rhule as a special teams coach (among other roles) at both Baylor and Temple. If Rhule does decide that Blackburn is outta here, gotta figure Foley is first in line.

If we did shop around though, there's a guy with a Panthers connection, but not to anyone here currently. Add in it's only about 50-50 he'll come available.

Dolphins ST Coach Danny Crossman: Formerly Panthers ST Coach for five years under John Fox. Panther fans hated him when he was here, but since leaving he's raised his reputation to the point he's been given the Dolphins assistant head coach title. And oh yeah, his unit blocked a punt and scored six points on us this past Sunday (dammit!)

Raiders ST Coach / Interim Head Coach Rich Bisaccia: If the Raiders don't hang on to him, here's another one of those chances to get one of the best in the game. In this particular case, there's a shoestring connection in that Bisaccia is a colleague of Tom Cable, who as previously mentioned knows Scott Fitterer. If the Raiders do clean house, getting Bisaccia and Cable on the Panthers staff would be amazing!

Other possibilities: Former Panthers ST Coach Thomas McGaughey could come available if the Giants fire their coaches (uncertain). On expected availability alone, there's Bears ST Coach Chris Tabor.

Expectation: I'm not totally convinced Blackburn is gone (or that he deserves to be) but gun to my head, the job belongs to Foley.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

As should be obvious from prior posts, my first preference is still to move on from Rhule.

But if we don't there are at least some options for real improvement on the coaching front.

Here's hoping...

Edited by Mr. Scot
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Cdparr7 Grand Master

Cdparr7

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Just now, Cdparr7 said:

Dorsey. If any outsider and only because of Morgan. Really, I think he will just promote from within and back fill the assistant roles with college dudes he’s familiar with. 
 

 

Also if Seattle keeps imploding there could be some Fitt connections there. Especially if they do a positional coach overhaul.

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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5 minutes ago, Cdparr7 said:

Also if Seattle keeps imploding there could be some Fitt connections there. Especially if they do a positional coach overhaul.

Not expecting that, but if it did happen they've got a really good quarterback coach in Carl Smith, a strong OL coach in Mike Solari, a potential rising star in passing coordinator Dave Canales and two guys with ST experience in Larry Izzo and Chad Morton.

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kungfoodude Grand Master

kungfoodude

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I am curious to see how this all plays out. Rhule staying but being forced to make staff changes will have a lot of intrigue. 

I am curious to see if he starts turning on people when his job might be under threat. I don't think he has ever held a job long enough to even be on a hot seat.

Edited by kungfoodude
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kungfoodude Grand Master

kungfoodude

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2 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I'd prefer Pederson.

Give me a combo of Pederson, Castillo / Cable / Munchak and Rich Bisaccia and I'll be a happy man.

Having a bunch of NFL experience is exactly what this staff needs. I do question if they are going to struggle to get those kind of guys here because of Rhule's lack of NFL experience.

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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One other OL name I'd consider less likely but possible, Packers Assistant OL Coach Luke Butkus. He was with Seattle for a bit so Fitterer should know him, though he's generally been an assistant OL coach more often that he's been the main guy.

And yes, he's related to Bears legend Dick Butkus (nephew).

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hepcat Grand Master

hepcat

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Do you really think Brady is going to be axed? I don't think he's getting canned unless Rhule goes too. 

Chase Blackburn should have been fired after the Miami game. That's two blocked punts this year that have altered the course of a game. Shouldn't allow a blocked punt all season. 

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