Updated Assistant Coach Options

[Mr. Scot]

Did the prior thread before the actual openings existed based on speculation. Here's a little discussion of a few guys available for the positions that have actually come open since.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Hue Jackson - interview this week; right system, great reputation, aggressive style; might have a better chance of getting him now that the Bengals know Jay Gruden isn't going to Philly

Pat Shurmur - also interviewed; five year Rivera colleague in Philly but coaches the wrong system; would be an extremely awkward fit

Ken Whisenhunt - lots of speculation on this front but no action; different system; believed he may join John Fox with the Broncos to replace Mike McCoy

Mike Mularkey - also a topic of speculation but no real evidence the Panthers are actually interested in him; also runs a different system

John Ramsdell - Rivera colleague from his Charger days; right system fit and record of success; has been specuiated as an OC candidate before but no indication the Panthers have called

Norv Turner - still expected to join his son and former star pupil (Rob Chudzinski) with the Browns but there's been no official word yet and there's been plenty of time, so who knows what that situation is?

RUNNINGBACK COACH

Ollie Wilson - worked with Rivera three years in SD; was Mike Tolbert's position coach before he came to the Panthers; plenty of experience and success

Ted Williams - longtime Eagles RB coach, worked with Rivera in Philly, coached Brian Westbrook and, more recently, LeSean McCoy

Tim Spencer - started as RB Coach of the Bears the same year Rivera came aboard; most recent pupil was Matt Forte

Skip Peete - recently fired as Cowboys RB Coach; no Rivera ties but is former Panther QB Rodney Peete's brother; helped develop DeMarco Murray

Sylvester Croom - very experienced, most recently RB coach of the Jags teaching MJD, no Rivera or Panther ties; very good reputation

Maurice Carthon - previous RB Coach of the Chiefs; considered a solid coach; has been an OC before and had assistant HC title in KC; no Rivera ties and his Giants days were over before Dave Gettleman got there

Jim Skipper - fans would love it, but he interviewed with Rivera when he was first hired in Carolina and wasn't retained so it seems unlikely

WIDE RECEIVER COACH

Ricky Proehl - Joe Person thinks he'll be promoted; sounds possible but no announcement yet; also no word of any other interviews; promoting him would be a hit with Steve Smith

Charlie Joiner - would be a very solid choice; worked with Rivera in San Diego under Turner; has been speculated that he could be an OC someday; Chargers may want to retain him though

Darryl Drake - another guy who joined the Bears the same year as Rivera and stayed beyond him; outside of Brandon Marshall, Bear receivers have been nothing special

LINEBACKER COACH

Bob Babich - Rivera's replacement as DC in Chicago but unlke Rivera and Lovie Smith they are said to be on good terms; Smith later bumped him back down to LB Coach and gave the DC job to Rod Marinelli; very highly regarded position coach whom the Bears may want to retain; his son is employed by the Panthers

Mike Caldwell - former LB Coach for the Eagles; was coached by Rivera during his playing days; played his final season with the Panthers; had a long playing career but is relatively short on coaching experience (since 2008)

SPECIAL TEAMS COACH

Bobby April - Eagles bio calls him one of the most highly regarded ST coaches in the league, and with reason; no Rivera ties but has been brought in for an interview and Joe Person speculates he's the favorite for the job

Kevin O'Dea - was the Bears ST coach for the first two of Rivera's three years there; was Dave Toub's assistant for the past few years; plenty of experience

UPDATES:

- The Chiefs have hired Kevin O'Dea, He takes the same role under Toub that he had in Chicago.

- Norv Turner has been officially named the OC for the Browns.

- Ken Whisenhunt has signed on to be the OC for the Chargers.

- Sylvester Croom is the new RB Coach of the Tennessee Titans.

- According to Joe Person, Jackson, Shurmur and Mike Shula are the only candidates for OC.

[jtnc]

I don't understand why it's taking so fuging long to hire a OC?

[Salvo]

Shula is likely still in the mix for the OC job.

[rodeo]

Shula is likely still in the mix for the OC job.

There's no indication he was ever in any mix except for loose speculation.

[Mr. Scot]

Shula is likely still in the mix for the OC job.

Possible, but Rodeo's right that there's only been speculation (so far)

[jtnc]

Shula is likely still in the mix for the OC job.

Likely the last resort, Rivera wants a former NFL Head Coach.

[Mr. Scot]

Thought about adding Juan Castillo as an option at OL Coach since Andy Reid didn't hire him in KC, but there's no real indication that Rivera is looking to replace John Matsko at this point.

[Salvo]

Joe Person ‏@josephperson

He wants it, and has a good shot at it. RT @boxemoutdave @josephpersonwhat's your thoughts on Shulas chance or desire for OC job?

Yeah...I know it's Person and all speculation, but it would be a very "Panther" move.

I don't want him, but I wouldn't be too quick to completely rule him out just yet considering he's already a step below it at the moment.

[jarhead]

I don't understand why it's taking so fuging long to hire a OC?

I wonder if Norv Turner is playing into the equation.I heard he was in Hawaii and have not seen where he has interviewed with anyone

[Scrumtrilescent]

Replace Shula with Beane and we have his tweets from two weeks ago.

[Dpantherman]

I don't understand why it's taking so fuging long to hire a OC?

For one, a guy like Ken Wisenhunt was in play for head coaching jobs. Now it looks like he isn't getting one.

[Mr. Scot]

Replace Shula with Beane and we have his tweets from two weeks ago.

Ouch :(

Joe Person ‏@josephperson

He wants it, and has a good shot at it. RT @boxemoutdave @josephpersonwhat's your thoughts on Shulas chance or desire for OC job?

Yeah...I know it's Person and all speculation, but it would be a very "Panther" move.

I don't want him, but I wouldn't be too quick to completely rule him out just yet considering he's already a step below it at the moment.

I acknowledge it's a real possibility, though I admit the fact they were quick to bring in other candidates makes me wonder how high it is on their list of options.

[cultclassiccat]

We are in good hands now. :thumbsu: It feels right having Gman in place to do these hirings.

[Cary Kollins]

I don't understand why it's taking so fuging long to hire a OC?

I bet we have one by Friday afternoon.