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All assets associated with the tag: Steve Wilks

Steve Wilks Coverage

Chris Lea and Dennis Jamel Cox discuss the Panthers hiring Frank Reich and passing on Steve Wilks.

Culture State on Reich hire: The standard is different for Black coaches in the NFL

Culture State on Frank Reich hire

99.9 The Fan's Joe Ovies shared his thoughts about the Carolina Panthers' decision to hire Frank Reich as their head coach. The Panthers hired Reich over interim head coach Steve Wilks.

NEWS COVERAGE YOU CAN COUNT ON. >> THE FIRST QUARTERBACK IN CAROLINA PANTHERS HISTORY IS RETURNING TO COACH THE TEAM. FRANK IS GOING TO REPLACE INTERIM COACH STEVE WILKS JOINING US NOW LIVE TO DIVE INTO THIS CONVERSATION AND REACTION AND WHAT'S NEXT FOR THIS TEAM IS 99. 0.9, THE FANS, JOE. OH, YES. GOOD EVENING, JOE. THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US. YOU KNOW, HIS NAME IS TRENDING ON TWITTER RIGHT NOW. STEVE WILKS. THAT'S WHO I FIRST WANT TO TALK TO ABOUT. HE TOOK OVER MIDSEASON WHEN MATT RHULE WAS FIRED. TALK ABOUT THE REACTION YOU'RE SEEING TO WILKES NOT GETTING THE JOB. >> DISAPPOINTMENT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO PUT LOOK, HE DID A GOOD JOB IN THE 12 GAMES THAT HE WAS THE INTERIM COACH GOING 6, 6, >> HAD THE MY FEELINGS THAT HAD THEY BEATEN THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AND WON THE NFC SOUTH AND GOT TO THE PLAYOFFS. HE BE THE COACH TODAY BUT NOT MAKING THE PLAYOFFS. OPEN THE DOOR. >> FOR DAVID TEPPER, THE OWNER AND THAT SEARCH COMMITTEE TO LOOK ELSEWHERE AND WITH FRANK WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS IT'S A IT'S A SAFER, HIGHER. HE'S OFFENSIVE MINDED, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT THE PANTHERS HAVE NEVER REALLY HAD AS A HEAD COACH. AND THAT'S THE DIRECTION THAT THE NFL HAS BEEN GOING ON. OFFENSE LIKE THEY CARE ABOUT GETTING THE QUARTERBACK, RIGHT? AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO WITH FRANK. >> PART OF THE REACTION TO STEVE WILKS NOT GETTING THE JOB WE'RE HEARING FROM HIS ATTORNEYS TONIGHT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WE'RE GOING HEAR MORE IN THE DAYS TO COME ABOUT RACE BEING BROUGHT UP IN THIS EQUATION ABOUT HIM NOT GETTING THE JOB BECAUSE HE'S A BLACK HEAD COACH. >> YEAH, WELL, DEBORAH, I'LL BE THEY HAVE AND THEY HAVE A YOU CAN LOOK ACROSS THE NFL AND WONDER WHY CERTAIN ASSISTANT COACHES WHO HAVE LESS OF A RESUME GET OPPORTUNITIES THAT SOMEBODY LIKE STEVE WILKS DOESN'T. YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE WHAT'S HAPPENED. I THINK WHAT THE LAWYERS ARE GOING TO DO IS YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS IN INDIANAPOLIS WHERE IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT THAT JEFF SATURDAY CAN GET THE JOB WHO DID LESS THAN WHAT STEVE WILKS WAS ABLE TO DO. BUT BECAUSE THE OWNER REALLY, REALLY LIKE SOME, HE'S GOING TO BE ELEVATED HEAD COACH POTENTIALLY. SO THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON. BUT AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CASE MATTERS. YOU CAN LOOK ACROSS THE LEAGUE AND BLACK COACHES ARE CONTINUOUSLY PUT IN BAD POSITIONS THAT THEY CAN SUCCEED AND THE PANTHERS ARE ONE OF THEM. THEY DIDN'T HAVE CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY THAT HAVE GOOD QUARTERBACK PLAY. THERE WAS COACH TRUST CHRISTIAN. THEY THEY CLEARLY WERE THINKING ABOUT DRAFT POSITION BUT HE STILL RALLY THE TEAM AND WAS ONE GAME AWAY FROM WINNING THE NFC SOUTH. I MEAN, HEAD DJ MOORE NOT TAKING OFF HIS HELMET. WHERE WOULD WE BE? YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE A HAHA. RIGHT. SO WE HAVE FRANK, IT'S THE COACH. SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO BE IN HIS PLAN FOR A QUARTERBACK. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. >> YOU KNOW, BE HIM BEING OFFENSIVE. MIGHT HAVE MINDED HIS COULD BE THE QUARTERBACK. >> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION. I DON'T THINK THEIR NEXT QUARTERBACK IS ON THE ROSTER RIGHT NOW. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SAM DARNOLD. PJ WALKER'S A BACKUP AND MATT CORRAL IS A PROJECT. SO I WOULD LOOK TO FREE AGENCY. THEY DO PICK 9TH IN THE DRAFT THAT THE PANTHERS DECIDED TO GO AT ANOTHER POSITION OF NEED. I THINK I'LL BE OK WITH THAT. YOU HAVE THEIR HE'S NOT GOING TO COMING BACK TO THE LOS VEGAS RAIDERS. WE KNOW THAT HE WOULD BE AN UPGRADE FROM WHAT THEY'VE HAD IN THE PAST. I WOULD ALSO KEEP AN EYE ON JIMMY GAROPPOLO. JUST THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF OPTIONS ON THE FREE AGENT OR A POTENTIAL TRADE MARKET. BUT I WOULD GO FREE AGENCY CAUSE THE PANTHERS NEED TO HOLD ON TO THE PICKS THEY HAVE AND BUILD A NUKE OR WITH FRANK. SO JUST BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THOSE 2 NAMES. TOM BRADY. HAHA. YOU KNOW TOM BRADY, TOM BRADY. TO HIS CREDIT FOR IT. THEY WANT A BAD DIVISION. THEY BEAT THE PANTHERS. THEY'RE STILL A LITTLE BIT OF THAT MAGIC TO GET IT. BUT TOM BRADY IS GOING TO GO TO A SUPER BOWL READY TEAM. SO I BROUGHT UP THE RAIDERS. THAT'S A POSSIBILITY. I WOULD ALSO KEEP AN EYE ON THE SAN FRANCISCO FORTY-NINERS AND WHAT HAPPENS THIS WEEKEND BROUGHT PRETTY HAS BEEN A GREAT STORY, BUT THEY GET BOUNCED BY THE EAGLES. YOU MIGHT HAVE THAT WHOLE COMING HOME STORIES THAT HE CAN NOW FILL AND WE'LL SEE WHERE WE GO FROM THERE. >> A LOT OF DRAMA IN THE NFL. IT'S ALWAYS EXCITING. LISTEN TO MORE OF THAT CONVERSATION WITH

Joe Ovies: Carolina Panthers' hiring of Frank Reich is a 'safer hire'

The Panthers will go with Frank Reich to lead on the sidelines in 2023, a familiar face in NFL circles, especially in Charlotte.

Panthers hire Frank Reich as head coach

Colts Patriots Football

Kacy Hintz and Chris Lea talk about what the Panthers need to do in the offseason to be better for next year.  

Welcome back into sports extra as the panthers season has come to an end. I don't think it couldn't have come soon enough for many, especially the franchises, they now look ahead to this next season. So, to help me look at the future of the panthers, let's bring in wrl s Chrisley chris, we've talked lot about interim coach, steve Wilks and the job that he's done, he finishes the season six and six. Of course, we believe he's made the case here for himself, but this morning, some other names popped up, we know they intend to conduct a full search. Do you still think Wilkes is the best candidate? I think he is definitely the best candidate, but I also think you, you can't go wrong with some of the names that popped up, especially frank Reich frank, Reich is a former panthers quarterback and so he understands Carolina, just like um, steve Wilks understands Carolina, but with steve Wilks, he already has the locker room, so you don't have to worry about that, it's more so giving him an off season, uh, and a chance to hire his own staff and a chance to really implement what he wants to implement, you know, before games are played. He had six days, uh, you know, really implement things before games started to be played when matt rule was fired earlier this season. So that's a really good reason to give him the head coaching job. Plus he went +66 and six with his time with the panthers. Matt rule has never won more than five games in the season and this guy had 12 games and he's already beaten that rule on that. So, uh, you definitely can't go wrong with that. But then if you look at frank Reich uh frank Reich, I think did an amazing job in Indianapolis. Uh he just played for a crazy owner who didn't really allowed him the space and the time to do the things you want to do. Plus the team was so good that he always had a bad first round draft pick. So they probably couldn't get him the quarterback he wanted when he was hired, they had Andrew luck, Andrew luck, then retires, then he had Philip rivers, then he had um, Carson Wentz and then this year he had Matt Ryan and he's shown that he can do pretty good with washed up quarterbacks. Um, this was really the worst year that frank Reich had at Indianapolis. So you know that the panthers offense can definitely turn around under somebody like frank Reich, So while I think steve Wilks is the guy for the job job, there's not a bad move going with frank Reich Jim caldwell, I don't think he should be the head coach, he's one of the names that popped up, but he's a guy that understands the state of north Carolina, lives in Winston, Salem right now, former Wake Forest head coach back in the day and I think he would be a good offensive coordinator. Uh, if steve Wilkes was the guy to get the job. Well, taking a look at free agency, at least 20 players are set to hit the free agency market Chris, in your opinion, what is their top priority or who I should say is their top priority? I think you have several. Uh and here are some of the ones that I feel like you definitely need to bring back. Deonte former has done a really good job for you as a running back. He got, you know, ejected in the first half of this game against the saints. But if he would have had 87 more yards, he would have had 1000 yard rushing season. Amazing for a guy that didn't rush for the entire season, basically took over Chris McCaffery after he was traded. You also need to get Bradley Bozeman back when he was the center for the Carolina Panthers. The line, you know, had amazing continuity and played probably the best at a Carolina Panthers offensive line's probably played in almost 10 years. And then um, you need to make sure even though Frankie lulu is coming back, Frankie lulu needs an extra extension because he's going to get uh pretty expensive here because he's he's probably been the M. V. P. On defense for the Carolina panthers, extend him a little bit more passes one year that's there. Of course, you gotta extend brian Burns, give him a big time contract and I would bring back uh raheem Blackshear as running back and also josh norman. We only really saw him in one game and you know three plays in another game. But the panthers when they get back jaycee horn and they get back Donte Jackson, they're gonna need somebody solid to back them up. Josh norman is that guy. But here's the shocker I would say bring back Sam Donald. You need to go after a quarterback in the draft and we'll talk about the draft in just a second. But Sam Donald has shown that he has grown up just a small sample size 56 games but he's grown up in that time only lost one game that was against the Tampa Bay buccaneers and he did a really good job with the panthers. Took care of the ball for the most part wasn't a really good showing today but he'd be a great bridge quarterback to get the new quarterback. Whoever that will be uh some time to get acclimated. I think he brings Sam Donald back at least for two years. Okay well obviously we head right into the next question here the draft, we know that they're going to be picking in the top 10. So give me a couple of names whether it's a quarterback or not. You see the Panthers in the direction that they should go. Well I'll tell you what man. C. J stroud is somebody who really impressed me during the C. F. P. As Ohio state went against Georgia. You know all the, that was the first time I had a chance to really, really watch C. J. Stroud and all the things that were people were said about him. He's not really mobile. We can't really move well. He was making moves on his feet. He was keeping the ball running and going. And I would say if it weren't for the fact that Marvin Harrison, Jr, his top wide receiver got hurt And I think it was in the fourth quarter of that game you're we're probably talking about Ohio State playing in the national championship game tomorrow night. So I think that you definitely got to look at him. And if you look at the draft order right now the panthers are picking number eight. The Bears have the number one overall pick. They don't need a quarterback. But the Texans at two in the Seahawks at three, they might look at quarterback. Cardinals don't really need a quarterback colt might look at a quarterback. Lions don't really need a quarterback but they might look at someone for the future Raiders are going to need a quarterback. But you know, if they get tom brady, they're not gonna need a quarterback. So you have all these teams that need quarterbacks. So now do you have that extra draft capital from that christian mccaffrey trade. It might behoove you to go ahead and start making phone calls? Hey Bears. Hey Cardinals. You know how can we move up and take your spot because we need to get somebody and you don't want the panthers to have a chance to get somebody like a Justin fields to miss out on this draft of quarterbacks this year. So hopefully they'll get a chance to move up in the draft and get somebody C. J. Stroud is is my pick right now with Sam Donald coming back to be the bridge quarterback to move him along. And then of course you got P. J. Walker and then we'll see if you know the panthers will do anything else at quarterback after that. But I think that's what I need to go after. And then also in the draft that they can get the defense tightened up a little bit more. Another linebacker would be good for them, Another defensive tackle, maybe another defensive end. Um, some folks to kind of look out for with that, you know, some positions to look out for and hopefully you'll see Carolina Panthers team that could make the post season next year. All right, well that is a lot to be on the lookout for. And we will be looking to you to keep us updated on all those. I think first it will probably be that coaching search and we look forward to hearing from you then chris lee. Thank you so much

Hintz and Lea: Panthers season ends but there is hope for the future in Carolina

Hintz and Lea

Interim head coach Steve Wilks plans to keep Sam Darnold behind center for the Panthers' home finale Saturday against the Lions.

Good afternoon everyone. Um, like I said yesterday, very disappointing loss for us. I give the Steelers all the credit. Those guys came in with a great game plan that they executed, um, and they controlled and dominated line of scrimmage. Uh, some of the things that we have been doing in the past, we did not play our style, a brand of ball. And as quickly as I talked to the coaches and um talking to some of the players, uh this game is behind us, our focus right now is on the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Lions only. And we're looking forward to uh re correcting the wrongs that we did this past week and getting back on track. And with that, I'll take your questions. Thank you coach. We'll go ahead and make sure you guys use the raise hand function. We'll go to mike K to start up. Hey steve, I was just curious what did you take away from Sam Donald's performance and will he be your starter against the Lions? I I thought SAM you know, um made some good throws yesterday a couple um throws. I felt like, you know, we had an opportunity to get out there a little quicker and a chance to uh, have a touchdown, particularly the one uh, the deep one to terrace down there sideline. Uh, and then also the one we got the P I on on outside line in the end zone. So he, and I spoke this morning, he, he realized that he needs to get out there a little quicker. But also I thought he made some great throws stepping up in the pocket, buying time keeping his eyes down the field, that one outlet and check down to cuba that turned into a big play. Uh, I thought he went through his progression and found the open guy there uh, and then also has continued conversation that, you know, don't be afraid to take off and use your legs and run and get the first down. So I felt he did some good things. You know, we got to do a much better job or protecting uh, to give him more time in the pocket and to uh, to answer your last question yes, he will be the starter uh, this week. Alright guys, again, please use the raise hand function doesn't look like we have any hands up right this moment. So mike, why don't you take us? Thanks Ryan, good afternoon steve, you know, the low output in the run game, You credit Pittsburgh for their execution and controlling the line of scrimmage is the genie kind of out of the bottle for you guys and your desire to pound the football and run it. And, and how do you counteract teams that are gonna be stacking 89 in the box to, to slow you guys down? No, I don't think um, the genie is out of the box as you just mentioned. I think we have to do a much better job. Really executed when we watched the tape, you know, we just didn't perfect a lot of times our execution within the call. So again, I feel confident in the, in the guys that we have up front and the things that we've been doing previous to sunday, we just got to get back to the basics, you know, um, and we have to also create mike opportunities when teams are doing that, you know, to try to push the ball down the field, you know, so we can loosen them up a little bit. So, uh, just across the board, you know, we didn't play, um, to the standard that we're used to and you know, we're going back this week. You know, even off a short week we're gonna put the past back on and you know, that's something again, that I try to reflect on myself to figure out the answers to some of these things and um, you know, that's definitely gonna be something that will get back to this week. And if I could just follow up this the short week actually help you guys flush this one even faster because now you gotta get into prep mode for Detroit. Uh, I think so because you know, when you're a competitor as we all are as players and coaches, uh, you know, it's no different coming off the turbo loss against Cincinnati and having a thursday night game against Atlanta, the quicker you can flush it and and get, you know, moving on to the next opponent the better you're gonna be. So yes, I'm excited about that. David Newton and the joe person. Hey steve, you say that gene is not out of the bottle, but it seems like especially when foreman's running the ball last few games, but particularly this last when, I mean they're they're meeting him in the backfield defenders. Are is there something going wrong there? They they figured that part out when he's carrying the ball or no, David, I don't I don't think so. If you really analyze and dissect the uh certain plays, I didn't think um and Deontay will tell you as well he didn't make the right reads a lot of times, you know, could have cut the ball back, particularly that one we had in the red zone should have been a touchdown, you know, going opposite of our tunnel. Uh So I think it's certain things. Again, I'm not taking away from how hard those guys play, but also on our end we didn't execute the way we would normally do. Uh you know, and upfront, you know, when when teams are getting downhill when we can't get to the second level we got to meet him in a hole. So we gotta do a much better job coming off the double teams quicker. And can you update us on guess CJ Henderson or anybody else that was injured. I don't have any updates right now I'm still waiting to get that information from the training staff appreciate steve if C. J can't go, would it still be key taylor or would you consider someone else there? Uh it's definitely gonna be um by committee, you know, keith would be the guy that was started but then we have a strong, you know, rotation with, with possibly different guys coming in. Would that include guys like Tae Hayes and or T. J. Carrie? Uh those would be the guys that you would probably see in there, you know, right now is a possibility that we can bring um you know, tae back up on the 53 but definitely that rotation. Okay, Darren. And then kevin told me steve, you mentioned going back into pads when you open this week. I mean that's the last one of those you got left this week. I mean, why is it important or and is that an important part of getting that mentality back is just kind of making sure these guys understand what they need to do. Yes, I mean, you know, I talked to the staff about this and I had already made this assumption, you know, going into the Seattle game with anticipation of the long flight hard nosed game that we were going to take them off getting ready for the Steelers, but this was really the first week uh since I've taken over uh that we wasn't in pads even though we only have one left so I'm not looking to try to hold on to it, I want to try to get back to try to create that mindset as users mentioned that we had previously, so uh was that the reason? I don't know, but I know we're gonna get back to the standard of what we said steve, you talked about um physicality yesterday, you're gonna be facing a Detroit team, that's a very physical team as well. So how do you get these guys going in the direction to get that high level of physicality back necessarily? You know, especially late in the season when teams are starting to shift into that next year. I think again, just getting back into pads, you know, trying to create that mindset, you know, we we have some veteran guys, but you know, pretty much across the board, we still the young football team, you know, and that's what I need to, you know, need to consider uh and they still need to be, you know, got it in the right direction and I think putting the path back on is that direction we need to go in. So I feel very confident about that. Alright, mike, k and then hashtag steve, how much does the shuffling of the coaching staff, especially in the secondary, How how much do you think that's attributed to uh maybe keith's performance this past week, I don't think you need to isolate one player, uh really, really look at um uh the whole body of work and I I thought the question, you can answer it on your own, you don't have to do it now, but from a production standpoint or the consistency uh and these guys are operating under uh I feel like you know, we're making progress now, all right, and it could be because of the they've got more reps, they've seen a lot more football or whatever the situation may be, because I really don't think it's a lack of numbers that's on the defensive side of the ball, you know, So I'm not gonna isolate one player. I'm looking at the body of work back there as a whole group uh in regards to keith, as I stated last night yesterday along with keeping the other players when you know, you want to be 11, you got to go out there and make your plays have I lost confidence and keith no keeps a good football player, he's made plays for us. Uh you saw the big play that he made last week on the uh on the post, the ball in the middle of the field, you saw the play, big time play, He came up with Atlanta on third down, you know, so he has that ability right there, but when given the opportunity, particularly on third down, we got to get off the field. Hi coach um I think for the second week in a row, but I'm specifically asking about that goal line series first and goal from the four. What did you see and what did you think on the, about the play, calling on that series? Well, I didn't question the play calling at all. Once again, I think a lot of times here, if you go back and really analyze that, I mentioned it already with Deontay, he would tell you he needs to do a much better job of seeing the blocking patterns and adjust and be ready to cut the ball back. Uh, you know, and then also up front, we've got to sustain our blocks. We gotta do a great job of coming off the ball and allowing these guys to get underneath there, pass right here, uh, and get downhill as a running back. So I don't question the call at all. We just gotta go out and execute steve reed and joe person. Hey steve defensively. Um, you guys gave up a lot more yards than you normally do on the ground. What did you see? Uh sunday that that needs to improve here as you go forward when you're uh, you know, facing two pretty good running backs this week, um, is very simple, but we still got to go execute. We gotta, you know, eyes, hands, hips and feet. We talk about our weapons all the time. We talk about playing with talent hands, you know, our defensive line play to lateral yesterday, you know, which allowed our linebackers not to get downhill. And then once we get down hill, we didn't do a great job across the board using our hands and getting our blocks. You know, we had some, some basic runs that we've seen um you know, throughout the year, as well as going back to even the O. T. A. And training camp that we work on, that, you know, we just didn't fit because of, you know, maybe one person lack of communication and not seeing it. So again, this time of the year, I think it's not so much about the volume, it's just about the base fundamentals and as a coaching staff. That's what I talked about this morning. You know, I'm not looking to try to increase the volume and what we're doing. I want the execution, so we're going to get back to again, you know, based fundamentals and you know, good football teams in december. That's what they focus on steve, you didn't want anyone in the building talking about playoffs. But since we last spoke to you Tampa Bay lost again, you're still kind of controlling your own playoff path here. Um Is that something that you'll address when the guys coming into one? You know, I'm gonna create a little bit of clarity when I said, I don't want anybody talking about the playoffs. I'm talking about players and coaches and that hasn't changed. You know, what we need to be talking about is how we're gonna stop the run. You know, what we need to be talking about is how we're going to re establish the line of scrimmage to perfect our run game alright. And we need to be talking about how we're gonna convert on third down and find a way defensively to get off the field on third down and all that focus right now is all on Detroit alright. Nothing more, nothing less. And uh we're not worrying about that. And then also as a follow up, you've got, you've talked before about wanting to see more takeaways on defense. We haven't really seen a lot of that. Did you think the ball that shock kind of shocks feet yesterday? Is that one that he could or should have made? Well joe let me let me go back and say that, you know, and I'm gonna live in the past, you know, I don't like going in the past, but we had two critical ones last week that I think was was was you know, that helped us win that football game. So to say that we haven't had any lately. I don't agree we didn't have any yesterday which could have helped us win the football game. Um you know, matt got his hands up up front, tipped the ball, which was great because we always encourage those guys to do that. I felt like watching it on tape if he didn't tip it, you know, shock would have been there with a possibility to get an interception even after looking at it. Even off the tip. Shock needs to come up with that one and we need to find a way, you know, I felt like Xavier had a great, it was a good call defensively based off D and D uh he had a great break on the ball. Um, He needs to come up with that interception right there on third down. So yes, I I do agree. Yesterday we needed more opportunities and we didn't get him.

Wilks: Darnold will remain the starting quarterback

Steve Wilks

Sad Panthers Fan nearly let herself get invested in the Panthers emotionally again, but with the Panthers dropping a winnable game at home to the Steelers and the playoffs looking more and more unlikely, she's back out. But it's not for the reasons you might think.

Sad Panthers Fan: Just when I thought I was out, they ... pushed me away again

Kacy Hintz and Chris Lea break down the Carolina Panthers win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Welcome back into sports extra as we continue to break down the Carolina panthers 23 10 win over the Denver broncos and to help me do that, let's bring in WRL Chrisley chris thanks so much for hopping on tonight. Let's get right to it. The panthers able to control this game with their ground attack. They rack up 100 and 85 total yards rushing. Now that they've been able to establish that, how much does this help the panthers offense? It helps tremendously. We know that the panthers don't have a great quarterback, right? So you don't want to have whoever that's gonna be back there behind center, drop back and throw it over 30 times. Like the panthers were used to doing under head coach matt rule. You want to run that ball to make sure that you're controlling the tempo and then also you're controlling what, what's happening with the ball. And the panthers have done that. And if you look since christian Mccaffrey has been traded, Deontay foreman has four games where he's rushed for over 100 yards. And chris McCaffery hasn't done that this year. He's played every game this year, including with the panthers and with the san Francisco 40 niners, he has more than Jonathan. Taylor, Dalvin Cook. Alvin Kamara, joe Mixon Austin Ekeler and Leonard for that. And these are all starters that have all started this entire season. Uh, so it's hugely important for the Carolina panthers and it's a huge part of why they've gotten three wins under interim head coach steve Wilks, you mentioned they haven't had, you know, a great quarterback today. They started their third of the season, but a familiar face and Sam Donald and hey, he did enough for this Panthers offense and I think most importantly to he didn't hurt the offense today I guess, you know, he's going to get the starts next week or after the bye week. Still steve Wilks said, but does he start the rest of this season? And is he the best chance the panthers have to win? I don't know if he starts for the rest of the season, but I know that between him and P. J. Walker they have the best chance to win between those two quarterbacks. But one of the things that kind of stuck out about his performance today for me was that he was 11 of 19 throwing 19 passes, okay. I went back last year and looked at a lot of the box scores, matt rule had this guy dropping back and throwing, you know, as much as 30 35 40 42 times per game. 42 is the highest that I saw from last year, which was their last game against the Saints. There's no reason why hey Sam Donald should ever dropped back to throw it. Uh 42 times and you know, 30 is a little iffy. Um That's one of the things, I think it's been a great adjustment by steve Wilks is the fact that he's putting people in position for them to win based on their skill set. We know the limitations that Sam Donald has and we know that if he has a solid offensive line and a run game, then you don't give him an opportunity to give the ball away to the other team, which is the whole point of the game, right? You want him to be a game manager and that's exactly the position he was put in today, he managed it well. And even when he had a Sam Donald drop, he got on the ball and rolled into the end zone for probably the ugliest touchdown ever in panthers history, but it still counts for six and it still helps to contribute to a win. You know, you mentioned steve Wilks, he is now three and o at home as the interim head coach of this panthers team and I think all the wins were by double digits as well. Do you think he's done enough to remove that interim tag and become the panthers head coach for this season is over, let's look at everything I just mentioned, right, putting the panthers in position to succeed. I don't even think that rule put chris McCaffery in position to succeed. So that stat that I had about Deontay foreman earlier is not indicative of christian Mccaffrey, I think that was indicative of coaching in the position that Chris McCaffery was put in under head coach matt rule and you look at what he did with Sam Donald in the position that he put Sam Donald in to go out there and get a win. I think if you just look at that alone and how he's put this entire team to defense, uh Deontay foreman, uh you know P. J. Walker and also uh you know, Sam Donald in positions to win, he has to at least get some type of shot whether it's with the panthers or somebody else. Now we don't know if David Tepper is looking to go another direction or not, but you would think that steve Wilks has gotten the opportunity to earn the opportunity to be the head coach of a team, get a full offseason and to show what he could do to help build a roster, take them through the offseason and start the season with that team. Hopefully the panthers give him that chance, but if not some other team definitely has to come call him because he's shown that he can take something that's, he can take lemons and make lemonade. I'll just I'll just put it that way. That's the nicest way to put it. Yeah well he certainly has them rolling as kind of and executing to a certain level. We'll see if they can keep this going in two weeks against Seattle chris lee, thank you so much

Hintz and Lea:  Panthers controlled the game vs. the Broncos with a balanced offense and a solid defense

Steve Wilks meets with the media for the first time as head coach. He was installed as interim leader when the Panthers fired Matt Rhule.

what is the tenor among them regarding this change? I think the guys are in good spirits. Of course change is always difficult, but they understand that this is a business and my approach with them is that we can't worry about what has happened in the past. We've got to focus on the future. And most important, we got a lot of games left and I feel like, you know, we haven't really hit the stretch of the bulk of our division yet, but we're gonna take it one game at a time and feel like we got some time to turn it around. Your conversations been like with Ben McAdoo, and are there specific things you want to try to adjust offensively to take advantage of what's a year? Uh Darrin, as I stated before, I feel like we have the talent. Ben and I have spoke on several occasions within the last 24 hours. Um you know, we feel like, I feel like there are certain things that I want to be able to get done schematically, that I feel like it's gonna give us our the chance to progress and move forward. Uh, Those conversations have been between here and I uh he's very receptive to those and um I think we're gonna be able to get things going in the right direction. I'm not gonna get into, you know, the details of, of schematically what we're trying to do. I think what we've done in the past has been great, but I think you ought to constantly evolve each and every week, uh and the things that you're trying to do particularly on who you're playing. So, David, that's really what I'm saying in regards to um everything is predicated off your opponent. Uh Can you tell when that happened? Um, what your reaction was? You know, Mr Tepper addressed that yesterday when you guys spoke with him. My focus and concentration is on where we are right now moving forward. So uh to be honest, my mindset right now is on the rams. I asked David that question yesterday about your reaction and he literally said ask you today and you asked me the question and my and my response is is that I'm focusing on the rounds. There's a situation as far as the quarterback position. Have you looked ahead to that and starting to plan for that as far as the P. J. Walker look. Well right now, it's still early. We won't really get an official injury report until tomorrow. Uh, So we're still waiting to see exactly where baker stands. Uh PJ is up and ready. He does a great job and being a pro and preparing each and every day. I have total confidence and if he has to step in and play. Mhm. Turning to uh Sam Donald is still progressing uh still moving in the right direction. Again, he has, I don't want to get the time frame on when he can come back because I don't really know for sure. I will get that information tomorrow as well on the quarterbacks generally speaking, not necessarily these injury updates you're with baker in Cleveland, how receptive will you be to maybe taking a look at sam if baker continues to struggle. I think, I think we're taking a look at everybody to be quite honest. I mean, throughout the whole roster, uh, we got to find a way to put the best guys on the field and Uh, it's, the focus to me is not on one person. I think offensively defensively there's 11 guys out there. I can't pinpoint one guy that's gonna go win a football game for you. So we all got to do our job collectively right there as coaches and players baker was great. He was great in the locker room, tough, competitive player, always gonna play hard. And I have a lot of respect for you. See a difference between what you did in Cleveland to what he's doing now. Do you notice a difference in regards to what, what are you saying with your question in regards to his play? Are you noticing anything differently with his play there where it is now? I think baker would tell you himself that he want to play better. I think collectively as a team, the guys will tell you that we want to play better. So, uh, that's the difference in his play, is that he wants to be more consistent like we all do right now moving forward. We feel like we have the guys in place, that that's gonna give us an opportunity to be successful. Um David, I answered that probably about two seconds ago and I would get the report, uh tomorrow with the injury report. So, and David and I have history. So I'm just teasing him with so much time left in this season. Just talking to the guys in the locker room. Is there a sense of optimism like you guys can turn this around? Of course. I think the guys again realize that we have great talent within this room, within this locker room, uh, and they feel like right now we're just not really hitting the market and that goes into a lot of different, you know, common denominators. So the confidence is there. We just gotta find that consistency to turn it around, dialogue with scott and just kind of getting used to the head coach. Gm dynamic between again, just the experience and wanting to make sure that communication is the key in this process. Scott and I has really gotten on the same page quickly uh talking roster. Um you know, making sure that, you know, we have as coaches, I have the things that we need to go out and get it done. So he's been very supportive in that process, coaching your progression to this point. It involved being at smith nearby wing at savannah state. Now you're coaching in your hometown. Would you discuss the progression and your feelings as you now stand here as the head coach of your hometown team again, I want to try to keep it very brief because I never want to try to put the spotlight on me. I'm very humble and excited to have this opportunity and do it right here at home is great, but it's bigger than me and it's about this organization that I truly love and care for. Uh, and it's about us trying to get this thing turned around and going in the right direction. Are there any players defensively or on offense that you think you should see the field? I think as I stated to the players, the opportunity for everybody, whether you're on practice squad, actor roster or not, uh, you're gonna have the opportunity to be able to play. You know, we're sitting at a point to where right now to do the same thing over and over again. You know, the definition of insanity. So we gotta find the right mix. And if that's a guy moving up from the practice squad is gonna give us a better opportunity. I'm definitely gonna look at that yesterday. The exact word, enthusiasm on the field at times. Did you see that? And if you did, how do you correct that going forward? I think what we saw, I thought we saw a team that hasn't played consistently as we played in the previous weeks. Uh, and for whatever reason, we got to find the answers to that and I think those guys have taken ownership when they came in here yesterday to know that we can play better and as coaches we can coach better. Do you have an update on status? I'll find out tomorrow with the report. Um 33 years since became first black head coach, there's been 24 full time black head coach of course being one of them in 2018. I'm wondering, what do you think young coaches of becoming executives? NFL owners can do to remedy those numbers over time? You know, that that's a tough and ongoing question and that is definitely something that probably needs to be addressed to. You know, those individuals, I can't really answer that for them. The only thing that I can do, we can do as african americans to continue to show our, our approval that we can get the job done and that's it. You stressed that this isn't a moment that's about you, but this is in large part a moment for west charlotte and you're one of a number of alumni who have come through. Is this something that while you don't want the focus to be on you, you want it to be a moment that kind of shines for that school, that part of town. I can't disregard um where I'm from, where I grew up, Is it dear to my heart? Yes. Uh, am I an example of, for many to follow. Yes. So I understand. Um you know, quote unquote the torch that I may carry, but I hope I am a great example to a lot of individuals that feel like, you know, they too can succeed and make it in any capacity. So uh is it important? Yes, it is childhood friends in high school, It's quite a few. I was just talking to Bruce and I had probably 300 some text messages, but everybody's excited. But again, guys, that's not gonna help us win football games, we gotta find a way to, you know, generate this energy and his focus in the right direction. And again, I draw back to the Los Angeles Rams with that said, getting kind of a short week, starting this week a little bit later because stuff going on and then having the west coast trip. How do you balance kind of keeping things somewhat the same? So they're comfortable for the players, but also implementing your own system? Well, I really think again that nothing's really gonna change in our approach, um that the players are consistent in what we're doing. We're in here yesterday, we talked briefly gave them an opportunity to get away. They'll be back here tomorrow. The coaches are game planning right now in all three phases. I just left one meeting. So our approach is still the same and nothing has changed in regards to that, we'll be getting the field tomorrow, ready to go. Is it's sort of a good thing that this game is on the road and you guys can stay together like the whole weekend down in L. A. And anything and you guys can just be tightening group as opposed to spread all over charlotte being a home game with all the commotion going on. It's almost good. You know, it's difficult and tough to say. I think the focus is always important. And do you have that more on the road because you're together yet? So hopefully that's going to benefit us. But again, the result is going out on the field and executing one of the points of contention. You may have touched on this a little bit was yesterday's sunday's red seat. How do you, what's your message to the fans of why they should come out and watch what could be a new brand of football for you guys? Well, number one, I want to make sure that our fans understand and know that we appreciate them and uh, we understand too, that we got to give them a good product to come out and cheer for. So yes, I'm hoping that when we come back home, we see a sea of blue, but most importantly right here we, as, as, as an organization, coaches and players got to go out and perform to that level. The question in the history of interim coaches in this league has been pretty poor. As far as getting that title White Black regardless. Did that give you any pause at all as you consider this opportunity? No, I, I didn't blink whatsoever. And again, I'm not worried about the end result. I'm just worried about winning today and giving us an opportunity to be able to be successful in a lot of talk about the culture, the culture whether or not this have a lot of younger players, but your return back to charlotte and where is this current team at? As far as adopting that philosophy and truly understanding what? Uh, it means a lot to me it means a lot to this organization. Uh, it's just like anything. Um, when you come through, uh, the organization, um, that it has to be taught, it has, uh, to be understood that this is our mantra and this is what we're about. Yes, we do have a lot of young guys, but we, at that, uh, that point in our season that it's about keep pounding and uh, in order for us to turn around, that's the mindset that we're going to have to have talk about the optimism that is in the locker room. Is there a sense of perhaps more motivation? Not these guys weren't motivated, but they've lost their coach mid season. Is that kind of a shake up, Do you feel like there's maybe a shake up in some of the mindset of some of the players. I don't think it's a shake up. I do know that a lot of guys understand this, this business in this profession, that um, that everybody's on notice, you know, and everybody is fighting for their job rather here somewhere else. So we tell the guys all the time, even as coaches, what you put on tape is your resume. So we're trying to put quality things on film to go out and execute and win football games and then whatever happens at the end, it's gonna happen Day Sean Brown from WSOC when you got the call, what ultimately went into your decision to say yes? Um, not not not to the point to where I even debated the, uh, the situation is that I want to be a part in trying to help turn this thing around? So, uh, my history with this organization before, uh, is when we won three straight NFC South championships? Uh, so I know what it takes. I've been around here when it was good, we went to a Super Bowl. So uh, to be able to get us back to that point is the reason why I wanted to accept and take this job Hey steve just as a point of clarity has all been named defensive coordinator as his title gonna change. Yes. His title will change and he has been promoted to that position. And then that leaves like a linebacker. Is there any chance that you guys would approach luke quickly about that linebacker job for his playing and coaching. Uh, yes, as I stated before. Um, I feel good about the coaches that we have in place moving forward. Um, and I'm excited about what we're going to try to get done. Evan cooper will have more of a stronger role, but my presence will still be in that room. What does that mean? Um, everybody has certain definitions of leader of men. I would tell you, I'm very authentic and I'm a leader of people. Uh, and I'm genuine in my approach. I'm sincere. I'm gonna tell you the truth whether you like it or not. And I think when you have that kind of approach players and people appreciate that you have a guy on staff who does that for you. I know you did that for Ron, but is there a guy on staff that kind of tells you what you need to hear? No matter if you want to hear it or not, Coach Hokum? Yes, Thank you. Thanks

Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks outlines his plans for the struggling team

Steve Wilks addressed media members on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, for the first time since the Carolina Panthers named him their interim head coach.

Matt Rhule, the first NFL coach to be fired this season, went 11-27 with Carolina and leaves with roughly $40 million remaining on the seven-year, guaranteed $62 million contract he signed in 2020, when he made the jump from Baylor to the pros.

ATTACKED BY A PIT BULL IN OUR AREA. >> WE BEGIN WITH THE CAROLINA PANTHERS FIRING HEAD COACH MATT RHULE EARLY IN THE SEASON AFTER A ONE OF 4 START. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. I'M DEBRA MORGAN AND I'M DAN HAGGERTY. THE PANTHERS TOOK ANOTHER TOUGH LOSS YESTERDAY FOLLOWING THE SAN FRANCISCO FORTY-NINERS. >> AND TO OF ALL IS LONGTIME ASSISTANTS ARE ALSO OUT OF THE JOB. >> WRAL'S PAT WELTER IS LIVE AND CHARLOTTE AT BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM WHERE HE COVERED YESTERDAY'S GAME AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE. PAT, LET'S TALK ABOUT ALL THE FORTY-NINERS READ THAT WE SAW IN THE STADIUM. YOU SAW THERE AS YOU ARE COVERING THE GAME, HAD TO HAVE PLAYED A ROLE SHOWING HOW FANS WERE JUST NOT SUPPORTING THE PANTHERS LIKE THEY USED TO IT. >> OWNER DAVID TEPPER, YOU KNOW, USED TO BE ONE OF THOSE FANS AND HE SAID TODAY THAT HE HEARS THE FANS AND WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON HERE FOR A LONG TIME NOW IN CHARLOTTE. THIS CHANCE OF FIRE RULE MOVES AT THE GAME HASHTAGS ON TWITTER. HE SEES IT. HE HEARS IT AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS IT YESTERDAY, DEBORAH, SOON AS I WALKED OUT ONTO THE FIELD, IT WAS IT'S HONESTLY JARRING. I'M THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS FAMILY SELF GROUP IN PITTSBURGH. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. YOU'VE HEARD OF THIS KIND OF THINGS MAYBE IN LOS ANGELES TYPE STADIUMS. WE SHOULDN'T SEE THAT HERE IN A MARKET LIKE CAROLINA AND I RAN INTO A FAN AFTER THE GAME BECAME REAL TO ME IS LIKE WE IN CHARLOTTE. THAT'S HOW JARRING IT WAS HERE AT THIS GAME. NEVER READ WAS EVERYWHERE. A LOT OF THE BLUE THAT YOU SAW, THE END OF THE GAME WAS JUST EMPTY SEATS. YOU KNOW, MAY BE THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK. BUT IT WAS A CAMEL THAT THE HUMP WAS WAS SLUMPING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. A LOT OF FANS ARE THINKING. >> YOU KNOW, IT WASN'T REALLY AN IF QUESTION, BUT WHEN WHEN IT CAME TO TO THE HEAD COACH. SO WHAT IS THE FEELING NOW? IT COULD HAVE BEEN TOO MUCH OF A SHOCK. YEAH, I MEAN, THE PLAYERS HAVE KIND OF SAID THE RIGHT THINGS IN THE LOCKER ROOM. AND I THINK ONE THING YOU SEE IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS, IF YOU'RE A NICE GUY AND YOU TREAT PEOPLE, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT LONGER OF A LEASH AND THAT RULE TO HIS CREDIT HAS STOOD UP THERE AT THESE PRESS CONFERENCES IN TAKEN THE TOP COURT'S QUESTIONS. HE'S ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY. >> IT WAS JUST GETTING TO A POINT WHERE IS JUST UNTENABLE WHEN YOU'RE GOING INTO THE LOCKER ROOM AND ARE ASKING PLAYERS, HEY, IS THERE ARE SPLINTERING IN THE LOCKER ROOM. YOU STILL BELIEVE IN YOUR HEAD COACH AND THEY TELL YOU, YES. WELL, HOW CAN YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE IN ONE THIS TEAM HAD LOST 7 OF THEIR LAST 7 GAMES LAST SEASON AS ONE IN 4 TO START THIS YEAR HAS HAD 3 DIFFERENT STARTING QUARTERBACKS BROUGHT IN. THEY HAVE ALL FILLED THAT CHAINS. MULTIPLE COORDINATORS ULTIMATELY IT WAS ALL POINTING BACK AT HIM. THE THINGS WE'RE WORKING HERE, THE CHANGE HAD TO BE MADE. >> WELL, THE PLAYERS DID GIVE HIM THE GAME BALL JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE INTERIM COACH NOW. WHO'S THAT GOING TO BE? AND DOES HE HAVE A SHOT AT BEING THE NEXT HEAD COACH? >> WELL, LOOK, STEVE WILKS IS A CHARLOTTE NATIVE. THIS IS A GUY THAT KNOWS THIS ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN AN ASSISTANT HERE A LONG TIME. HE WAS ALSO A HEAD COACH WITH THE ARIZONA CARDINALS FIRED AFTER A VERY SHORT TIME THERE. SO HE DOES HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE. HE'S ALREADY MAKING SOME MOVES. THE CHANGES THAT YOU'VE SEEN WITH THE STAFF, SPECIFICALLY THE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, PHIL SNOW. WELL, ARGUABLY THE DEFENSE, THE STRONGEST THAT HE MIGHT NOT EVEN ARGUABLY THOUGHT DEBATABLE. IT WAS. BUT HE'S A MATT RHULE. GUYS, I THINK WE'RE SEEING HERE IS THE BOOKS ALREADY PUTTING HIS THUMB PRINT ON THE TEAM. WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM HIM TOMORROW. AND DAVID TEPPER SAID THAT HE DID HAVE A CHANCE TO EARN THE JOB WE'VE SEEN AND COACHES COME IN. AND IN RALEIGH, A TEAM FOR A SHORT TIME. IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT YOU SEE THAT GUY ULTIMATELY GET THE JOB PERSONALLY. I SO EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN. YOU CAN'T RULE IT OUT, BUT HE ALSO GOING TO BE STACKED AGAINST THEM HERE BECAUSE THE STARTING QUARTERBACK, BAKER MAYFIELD, IS NOW OUT WITH A HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN. HIS BACKUP QUARTERBACK SAM DARNOLD ALSO HAS A HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN. HE'S ON THE IR YOU'RE DOING WITH A THIRD-STRING REALLY A FOURTH-STRING QUARTERBACK BECAUSE THEY DRAFTED MATT CORRAL OUT OF OLE MISS IN THE 3RD ROUND OF THIS YEAR'S NFL DRAFT TO BE THE 3RD STRING QUARTERBACK. HE'S OUT FOR THE SEASON WITH A LISFRANC INJURY. SO THESE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY NOT RULE ULTIMATELY DIDN'T REALLY EVEN HAVE A CHANCE THIS SEASON. BUT IN THE NFL, IF KHAN IS DESIGNED TO KEEP YOU ALL EVEN AND WHEN YOU LOSE 11 OF YOUR LAST 12, EVENTUALLY GOT OUT OF A COIN FLIP. GO YOUR WAY. AND HE JUST WASN'T PULLING THAT OFF. AND THAT'S WHAT GOT HIM FIRED. PAT WELTER LIVE FOR US IN CHARLOTTE AND HE'S DOWN THERE MUCH LONGER. YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE A COUPLE OF SNAPS FOR THE

Panthers fire head coach Matt Rhule after 1-4 start

 Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper said he ran out of patience with Matt Rhule's inability to get the franchise "over the hump." Tepper fired his second coach in four years on Monday, dismissing Rhule five games into his third losing season.

DRY UNTIL THE NEXT CHANCE FOR RAIN ARRIVES. >> RIGHT NOW AT 5 AFTER A ONE IN 4 STARTS CAROLINA PANTHERS HEAD COACH MATT RHULE IS OUT IN CHARLOTTE AND HE IS NOT LEAVING ALONE. HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US. I'M GERALD OWENS AND I'M DEBRA MORGAN. ALSO LET GO FROM THE PANTHERS TODAY. DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR PHIL SNOW AND SPECIAL TEAMS COACH AT FULLY WRL'S PAT WELTER JOINS US LIVE TONIGHT FROM BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM WHERE PANTHERS OWNER DAVID TEPPER IS OFFERING MORE DETAILS ON HIS DECISION THAT. >> GERALD EVERETT, I WAS AT THE GAME YESTERDAY VERSUS SAN FRANCISCO FORTY-NINERS THAT YOU JUST HAVE TO TAKE ONE LOOK AROUND THE STADIUM TO KNOW IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE. THIS WAS A HOME PANTHERS GAME. THE CROWD WAS FILLED WITH SAN FRANCISCO FORTY-NINERS RED ENDURING A 37 TO 50 LOSS FOR CAROLINA. A FEW PANTHERS FAITHFUL THAT STUCK AROUND WRINGING DOWN BOOS AND CHANTS OF FIRE MATT RHULE AS THE TEAM LOST THEIR 11TH GAME OF THEIR LAST 12. SO MATT RHULE FIRE TODAY AFTER GOING 11 IT IS 2 PLUS SEASONS HERE AT CAROLINA PANTHERS HEAD COACH. AND HE'S A GUY THAT WAS KNOWN FOR TURNING AROUND COLLEGE TEAMS DURING HIS 3RD SEASON. WE'RE IN THAT 3RD SEASON HERE. THINGS WERE GETTING BETTER. THEY WERE GETTING WORSE. OWNER DAVID TEPPER DECIDED TODAY THAT >> THE TIPPING POINT HAD BEEN REACHED SOMETHING HE SAID MULTIPLE TIMES DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WRAPPED UP ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES AGO WAS THAT THEY JUST WEREN'T GETTING OVER THE HUMP AK NOT WINNING ENOUGH. NOW WE BOUGHT THIS TEAM IN 2018 HAS ALREADY FIRED NOW 2 HEAD COACHES IS LOOKING AT A 3RD PLANS TO GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME AROUND. >> IT'S ABOUT TAKING CHANCES AND TAKING RISKS SOMETIMES IN LIFE. SOMETIMES YOU DO THINGS WORK OUT. SOMETIMES YOU LEARN FROM THOSE FOR US AS SHE TOOK THE GETS REACHED. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE TIPPING POINT. >> WELL, STEVE WILKS IS THEIR INTERIM HEAD COACH IS A CHARLOTTE NATIVE LONGTIME PANTHERS ASSISTANT TEMPERED DID SAY HE WOULD GET A CHANCE TO EARN THE JOB. NOW ON WHAT TEMPERS LOOKING FOR A HEAD COACH. HE DIDN'T GET INTO SPECIFICS. FORMER SAINTS HEAD COACH SEAN PAYTON. THAT'S THE HOT NAME YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT. HE RETIRED A COUPLE YEARS AGO. THE SAINTS STILL HAVE HIS CONTRACT FOR 2 YEARS. SO IF THE PANTHERS HAPPENED TO BE INTERESTED IN HIM, THEY WOULD HAVE TO GIVE COMPENSATION TO THE SAINTS, THE HIGHER AND THAT IS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. WE'VE GOT A LONG SEASON AGO. BAKER MAYFIELD IS INJURED. THE PANTHERS ARE TRYING TO FIND A COACH. THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND A QUARTERBACK. IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG YEAR HERE IN CHARLOTTE. >> AND THAT MATT RHULE STILL HAS A NUMBER OF YEARS LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT. YOU KNOW WHAT THE BUYOUT IS FOR HIM. >> THAT MIGHT HAVE HAD A FACTOR HERE. GENERAL, I HAVE A SPECIFIC LOOK AT HIS DIRECT CONTRACT THAT HE SIGNED A 7 YEAR DEAL HERE, WHICH WAS KIND OF AN UNORTHODOX SITUATION IN THE NFL AND TEMPER WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC LIKE A WOULD YOU DO THAT AGAIN? AND HE LOOKED AT IS LIKE, YEAH, YOU ITS SECOND HINDSIGHT, I PROBABLY WOULD MAYBE YOU CAN FOR MORE TO THE NORMS. BUT HE SAID, LIKE YOU JUST HEARD THERE, THE SOUND BITES SOMETIMES HAVE TO TAKE RISKS HERE TO BE AGGRESSIVE. MATT RHULE WAS A VERY HOT NAME WHEN THEY HIRED HIM. BUT I THINK THIS TIME AROUND EXPECTED TO GO FOR SOMEBODY WITH MORE NFL EXPERIENCE. THAT'S SOMETHING HE POINTED TO THAT THERE'S A TRACK RECORD OF WORKS IN THE NFL. THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS THAT COLLEGE COACHES DO NOT ALWAYS

Carolina Panthers fire head coach Matt Rhule

The Carolina Panthers will be bringing back a couple of familiar faces in 2022.