Coaching Succession

[Mr. Scot]

So let's say that John Fox moves on next season (either because he fails to justify keeping him or because he does well and decides to seek greener pastures) or let's say Fox coaches another year or two with largely the same staff he has now and then retires.

Based only on what we know right now, which of these do you think sounds like the best succession scenario?

1) Promote Ron Meeks to Head Coach and Brian Baker to Defensive Coordinator; keep the offensive staff in place

2) Promote Brian Baker to Head Coach; keep Meeks as Defensive Coordinator and preserve the offensive staff intact

3) Promote Jeff Davidson to head coach; Hire another OC and keep the rest of the staff on both sides in place

4) Hire a new head coach from outside and let him decide how to best fill out the staff

What sounds like the best option to you, and why?

[Baschski]

Not sure why Baker is one of the choices. He hasn't really proven to be a great D-line coach yet, much less anyone capable of being a head coach. Promoting Meeks would be a good choice, but even then I'm not sure Baker would be the best choice for D-Coordinator. Davidson would be a good choice for HC as well.

To answer your question, though, I'd go with Choice 3.

[Wither]

Davidson, because the rest of the options are not racist enough.

[Mr. Scot]

Gantt has said that Baker could be a dark horse candidate for the head coach job if Fox is gone.

[BlacknBlueBoy]

I don't think you should rule out Jim Skipper as being a possibility for the head coaching position if we do promote from within. He has 24 years of pro-football coaching experience and is, after all, currently the "assistant head coach". On a day to day basis, and certainly on game day, he is closer to John Fox than any other coach on the team and with his focus, as the running backs coach, being the strength of this team it certainly wouldn't be out of the question.

[Woodcookedbbq]

I like the fire that Brian Baker has, but I think Jeff Davidson would be the most qualified.

[Jangler]

4) but I have no opinion on who should come in...

[Cyberjag]

What have the Panthers done that suggests they would promote from within for the top job?

I think they would go out and grab another DC from somewhere. My dark horse would be an OC like Jason Garrett.

[natty]

I'd like to see what Meeks does with the defense this year first.

[methodtoll]

What have the Panthers done that suggests they would promote from within for the top job?

I think they would go out and grab another DC from somewhere. My dark horse would be an OC like Jason Garrett.

There has been several successful coaches who were coordinators or position coaches prior to that who came from bad teams. Look at Reheem Morris, who might not have the Bucs there yet but give them time to get out of their "youth movement" and I think they could become contenders in the division, as much I hate to say it.

Dallas is completely overrated and really hasn't been a successful playoff team but yet Tony Sparano started as a offensive line coach jumped to head coach for the Dolphins.

Point being is, just because Meeks or Davidson takes over, doesn't mean they will run the same team as Fox and furthemore, doesn't mean they can't be successful

[thefuzz]

At some point we will have to identify what kind of "team" we are, and I am not totally sure that we will know that until after the lockout, if there is one.

If they truly believe that Clausen or Moore can be an "elite" qb, and also think that they cannot keep both Stew and D Will, we may see a switch in offensive strategy.

Will be be a ball control O through the run game?

Will we be a pass first team through the air?

Do we want to continue to try to be a Great D team, with a capable O?

These are questions that Big Cat has to decide on, then we can get a better feel on who will be the next HC.

[JungleCat]

Hard to say. I think it depends on where the "youth movement" takes us.

[panthers55]

My first choice would be to hire someone outside like Sean McDermott- Eagles DC. We need an aggressive defense in a great scheme which helps make up for average talent. If Meeks goes to more Cover 1 man under this year I could be swayed his way. Otherwise I am tired of the break don't bend defenses under Fox.

[Cyberjag]

There has been several successful coaches who were coordinators or position coaches prior to that who came from bad teams. Look at Reheem Morris, who might not have the Bucs there yet but give them time to get out of their "youth movement" and I think they could become contenders in the division, as much I hate to say it.

Dallas is completely overrated and really hasn't been a successful playoff team but yet Tony Sparano started as a offensive line coach jumped to head coach for the Dolphins.

Point being is, just because Meeks or Davidson takes over, doesn't mean they will run the same team as Fox and furthemore, doesn't mean they can't be successful

Doesn't mean they can't be successful, BUT we're not talking about the Panthers there. They go outside for the big jobs, with the exception of Mark Richardson.