There no longer is any question about who is running the show for the Carolina Panthers. It’s become increasingly obvious that it’s owner David Tepper.
The latest – and, perhaps, strongest — evidence of that came Tuesday morning when the Panthers hired former Baylor coach Matt Rhule as the fifth coach in franchise history. This hiring has Tepper’s fingerprints all over it.
Like many things that have happened since Tepper bought the team from founder Jerry Richardson, this breaks from franchise history. Richardson had a pattern when it came to hiring head coaches. He went with rising NFL coordinators when he hired Dom Capers, John Fox and Ron Rivera. He broke from style a bit when he hired former 49ers coach George Seifert.
But you get the picture. Richardson always went with coaches with deep NFL experience. Rhule doesn’t have that. He has only one season of NFL coaching experience, coaching the offensive line for the New York Giants in 2012. But he impressed Tepper enough to get a seven-year contract that could be worth up to $70 million.
In breaking with franchise tradition, Tepper is going with the current curve in the NFL. This move shows he realizes the NFL is becoming more like the college game. Many teams on both levels are using the read-pass option offense. It’s also obvious Tepper wanted a coach with a reputation for building in a hurry.
Rhule has that reputation. Let’s take a look at Rhule, what he’s gotten himself into and what he needs to do to succeed in Carolina.
Build — and win — quickly
Rhule has a history of building teams and turning them around in a hurry. That’s one of the main reasons he got the job. At Baylor, the Bears went 1-11 in Rhule’s first season (2017), but went 11-3 in 2019. He previously coached at Temple, where he led the Owls to consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in school history. Can he build as rapidly in the NFL as he did in college.
It’s going to be tough. The Panthers were 5-11 this season. The New Orleans Saints have dominated the NFC South recently. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be a team on the rise. The Atlanta Falcons have enough talent with quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones to bounce back from two disappointing seasons.
Build harmony with the front office
All indications are that general manager Marty Hurney will be sticking around. Hurney is one of the few people with deep ties to Richardson to still be with the franchise. But Tepper apparently recognizes Hurney’s ability as a talent evaluator and salary-cap manager. Hurney isn’t difficult to get along with and should help Rhule adjust to the personnel and business side of the pro game. Hurney likes a team effort between himself and the coach. Rhule would be wise to lean on Hurney.
The cupboard isn’t bare, but free agency and the draft will be crucial
With the likes of running back Christian McCaffrey, linebacker Luke Kuechly and linebacker Brian Burns, the Panthers have some big-time talent (we’ll get to quarterback Cam Newton in a minute) to build around. They just don’t have enough big-time talent at the moment. That has to change in a hurry. Rhule and Hurney need to get it right in the draft. But free agency could provide a faster fix. All indications are that Tepper is willing to spend whatever it takes to turn his team around quickly.
Make the right call on Cam Newton
This is the biggest challenge for Rhule as he takes over the Panthers. Normally, having a quarterback who has won an MVP award is a good starting point for any new coach. But Newton is a little different. He’s dealt with shoulder and foot injuries the last two seasons and has been a shell of himself when he has played. Can Newton get back to full health? That’s something Rhule and Hurney have to decide quickly.
If they don’t believe Newton can be the player he once was, the prudent thing would be to trade of cut him. Newton has a $21 million salary cap figure for this year. But the Panthers would save $19 million in cap room if they trade or cut Newton.
That once would have seemed unfathomable. But, under Tepper, there are no more sacred cows in Carolina. Tepper doesn’t care about the past. He cares about the present and he wants to win right now.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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