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So why not Jim Skipper?

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
Posted

Good question :sosp:

It's not as simple as "the players want him, so let's keep him". He'd have to want to stay too, and like anyone else who signs on here. he'd have to be on-board with the plans and ideas of Ron Rivera. Still, he's a good coach, has a solid reputation, does a job that the Panthers need right now, and is arguably the best name available at that spot right now. The other choices that are currently available aren't really anything to write home about.

So why isn't he signed? :confused:

Some of the possible reasons...

He really wants to work with John Fox: A distinct possibility. Skipper and Fox go way back, and it's been reported that Fox has a standing offer out to him. The problem? There's no open spot on the Denver staff. All position coaching roles are filled, and no team that I know of has a guy who's only the "assistant head coach". Would Denver brass sign off for that? Maybe, but they haven't yet.

Ron Rivera really wants someone else: Also quite possible. Rivera mentioned that they were having to wait to interview some coaching prospects because they were on playoff teams. A couple of guys that Rivera would know are still at work (Edgar Bennett) or just recently finished (Tim Spencer). So perhaps it's just a matter that in his mind, Skipper might be good, but someone else might be better.

The age factor: With the exception of John Matsko, the Panthers coaching hires have trended toward the younger side. Jim Skipper may not be ancient by coaching standards (62) but he is on the older side. "Age discrimination" you say? That's kind of a tricky topic to apply to sports. Is it age discrimination to drop a player whose skills are diminishing with age? No, coaching and playing aren't the same thing, but "old coach" often means "old school" and the new Panthers leader might be looking for something new.

The John Fox connection: It could also be that Jim Skipper's close connection to John Fox might be something that gives the team pause. Not in the sense that they fear Skipper may funnel info to Fox, mind you. And Ron Rivera has reached out to former members of John Fox's staff (retaining two) but not Skipper, who was far more tied to Fox than Ron Meeks or Sam Mills III (or pretty much anyone else, for that matter). Still, the team may not want someone with as strong a tie-in to the old way of doing things as Skipper would have.

Certainly, there are other possibilities, but looking over the things I've read and the factors that apply, these are the things that are uppermost in my mind.

In the end, I still don't believe that Jim Skipper will end up remaining on the Panthers staff. I know his prior students won't be happy about that, but I doubt the fallout will be huge. And who knows, his replacement might be just as good or better.

Bottom Line: I'll be happy if he stays, but I won't be devastated if he goes.

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CBDellinger Mentor

CBDellinger

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He wasnt "just a RB's coach" here during Fox's tenure. He had a good deal of game day/game time duties (notice he always had on a headset.) Those may be in the process of being delegated to other people/position coaches as Rivera sees fit. They may just not have a roll that he can fill.

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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He wasnt "just a RB's coach" here during Fox's tenure. He had a good deal of game day/game time duties (notice he always had on a headset.) Those may be in the process of being delegated to other people/position coaches as Rivera sees fit. They may just not have a roll that he can fill.

Denver doesn't seem to either.

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Nicbsbll2 Newbie

Nicbsbll2

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Foster never stopped fumbling.

Our backs had more fumbles recently (haven't looked this up).

He is part of the Fox family and such needs to be purged.

The good:

Stephen Davis

early DeShaun Foster

Brad Hoover

Nick Goings

DeAngelo Williams

Jonathon Stewart

Tony Fiammetta

The bad:

late Deshaun Foster

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Zod Grand Master

Zod

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I think its pretty obvious that JR was completely dissatisfied with our offense. I would not want the guy telling him I thought we should keep any part of it's coaching staff around.

What the players want is irrelevant.

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Kurb Newbie

Kurb

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The good:

Stephen Davis

early DeShaun Foster

Brad Hoover

Nick Goings

DeAngelo Williams

Jonathon Stewart

Tony Fiammetta

The bad:

late Deshaun Foster

Stephan Davis was a major veteran before he arrived nothing left to be developed there.

Foster fumbled his entire career, less as he got older but it was always an issue, its a football not a loaf of bread.

Hoover had also been around from before, Hoov was a decent fullback, but he isn't the HOF'er this place makes him out to be.

Nick Goings ? ....

Williams and Stew fumbled more as they have been here. Both are exceptional talents in their own right. Williams was WAY too happy feet at the start of his career. He excelled when the line was paving the way. As it should be.

Fiametta was taught by hoov as much as anyone.

Goodson is a 2 year player and he could stop Fiz in blitz pick up.

I'm sure he is a great guy and cool the players think he is great.

He was also Fox's yes man (If he wasn't why was Williams on the bench so long?) and part of a dead establishment.

Out with the old and in with the new.

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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I think its pretty obvious that JR was completely dissatisfied with our offense. I would not want the guy telling him I thought we should keep any part of it's coaching staff around.

What the players want is irrelevant.

I know reports were that they reached out to Magazu and Tolbert, but that could mean anything from saying "we really want you back" to "hey, maybe we'll consider the possibility of conceivably giving you an interview for your old job (at a reduced salary, of course)".

Given that neither Magazu nor Tolbert interviewed here and both headed to Denver shortly after those reports, it's hard to imagine it was that strong of a pitch.

My sense is that they would hire Skipper if it came down to it, but I don't think he's their first choice.

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Zod Grand Master

Zod

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I would wager it was a courtesy "yes we will consider you". Not because they actually would, but to send a message to other teams that they were not completely incompetent.

Back in my corporate days when I fired people, I would mark them as eligible for rehire. Not because they would ever be rehired, they wouldn't. They were marked that way as a courtesy for when order companies called wanting to know.

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