Next Carolina Panthers Head Coach?
Photo Credit: Sports Logos
With the NFL Playoffs in full-force, the Carolina Panthers have their priorities set on establishing a new culture in the Queen City. Ron Rivera was released from his head-coaching duties during the 2019 season and left behind a Super Bowl berth in 2016 during his tenure. The team had a record of 5-7 when he left and they did not get a single victory afterwards…leaving the Panthers at 5-11. Interim Head Coach Perry Fewell was put in a lose-lose situation…as the team looked lost after Rivera’s firing and not to mention the fact that the QB situation is a mess right now. Christian McCaffrey led the team undoubtedly with 2,393 total yards of offense. Carolina has great pieces to work with, as they drafted a promising EDGE rusher last year in Brian Burns who showed flashes of talent. They also obtained the 7th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and it just so happens that this draft class is loaded with talent. Another question that will be raised is the QB situation. Cam Newton was injured and everyone knew it…Kyle Allen looked decent, but with a sub-par O-Line, he did not have a chance. Will Grier is also a project and is not ready to be a NFL starter. The Panthers defense was ranked 31st in points allowed and 29th in rushing yards allowed, so these are areas in need of improvement. The next Head Coach will need to be able to further the positive attributes Carolina has, as well as drastically improve their horrendous defense.
Photo Credit: Kansas City.com
Eric Bieniemy: The Kansas City Chiefs OC is one of the most popular candidates among free agent NFL coaches. Bieniemy was a former NFL running back and has a great track record of coaching RB’s. (Maurice Jones-Drew at UCLA, Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor at Minnesota, Jamaal Charles and Kareem Hunt in KC.) Being under Andy Reid cannot be a bad thing and not to mention, the Chiefs are one of the best offenses in the NFL. Bieniemy would be a great fit for the Panthers, being that the team’s strong suit is the running back. He has only been an OC for two years, but has helped develop Pat Mahomes along the way. Personally, I am not sure how much of Mahomes’ development stems from Reid or Bieniemy, but being in the fold never hurts. Cam Newton or Kyle Allen could be okay in his scheme, my main concern is what Bieniemy could help bring defensively.
Photo Credit: panthers wire.usatoday.com
Mike McCarthy: Honestly, this one makes me cringe. Mike McCarthy left Green Bay on a terrible note with his relationship with Aaron Rodgers. His track record is hard to argue with though, as he posted a 125-77 record with the Packers and won a Super Bowl. Another thing about McCarthy that could be positive is that the Green Bay defense was pretty good in his tenure. David Tepper will like the fact he is from Pittsburgh as well. My gut feeling tells me this guy will be the next Carolina Panthers head coach. Maybe I should take back my cringe comment, I do think he brings a winning culture and I don’t think it would be a risky hiring.
David Shaw: Here is a candidate that is starting to pick up steam. Shaw is the current head coach at Stanford and has ties to Christian McCaffrey. Being that he is a college coach may scare some people, but he has NFL roots as well. He was in Oakland from 1998-2001 and Baltimore from 2002-2004. With experience under Jon Gruden, Brian Billick, and Jim Harbaugh, this could be a home-run hire for Carolina. Hiring Shaw could also be a statement that they are committed to the running game. Everyone in Charlotte wants CMC to stay and this would help for sure.
Photo Credit: New York Post
Perry Fewell: It would be a shock that Perry Fewell will be named the next Carolina Panthers head coach, but in all reality it makes decent sense. He has a long track record of success and he has been a member of a Super Bowl winning team like the New York Giants under Tom Coughlin. The biggest concern regarding Fewell would be the performance of the Panthers defense this season. I will say that the Panther pass defense ranked 13th among yards allowed, which was the only bright point on that side of the ball, but it could be that teams knew they could run on them, so they did not pass that often. I think Fewell could be okay, but if culture change is the main driving force of Tepper/Hurney and the Panthers decision, Perry will be on the outside looking in.
Reference: wiki, NFL.com
AustYn