Fox admits its over in Carolina

[A.E]

No official news story to post but I was listening to Sirius NFL Radio during my drive to Philadelphia. John Fox was interviewed by Tim Ryan & Pat Kirwan on Sirius NFL's Moving the Chains radio show...and when he was asked about whether or not this would be his last season in Carolina....John basically said it was obvious that his tenure was coming to a close and after season, himself and the organization will part ways, the right way.

A lot of people saw this coming, I think its unfair, but I also feel this is best for John. Fox had a stellar 9 years in Carolina, winning seasons in most of them, a Super Bowl, and c'mon...they turned over the roster on him & they haven't had a quarterback in 2 years. Jack Del Rio was interviewed after Fox and when asked to comment about John, he said a lot of nice things and admitted that trying to win without a good quarterback is near impossible in the NFL. Nobody expected the Carolina Panthers to do anything with such a young roster & surprise, surprise...they didn't.

I don't think John deserves to be ousted after 1 terrible season, with a terrible roster, as I feel he's earned plenty benefit of the doubt. I am; however, a firm believer that when a franchise reaches the youth movement/roster turnover the Panthers have, a change in coaching staff is needed. Carolina is now the perfect situation for a young, up and comer coordinator, to come in and develop himself while he develops this team.

This move is also good for John because he's been at it for 21 years, he's had success, but I don't think he's a guy whose in the best position to go backwards before he can go forward again. John won't be out of work for too long and I think he's a great fit for a veteran team that may be a couple pieces away or just underachieving with what they currently have. My personal opinion, John would be great for a team like San Francisco or better yet, if AJ Smith pulled his head out of his ass, the Chargers. As for Carolina, this team would be an ideal spot for a Jason Garrett or a Brian Schottenheimer.

 

[Mooche]

This isn't really surprising with the lack of success with the team. His fault or not, this program needs a shake up and needs to start going into another direction.

Hopefully this move is a springboard for success for both parties.

 

[jarrod2323]

Texans maybe? that would fix their biggest need - Defense.

Kubiak can go back to the Broncos, which has been rumored for a while

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

He had a good run in Carolina, time to move on.

 

[Lake Louise]

He's been there awhile, and he had some good years, but it's over now and he knows it.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

He's been there awhile, and he had some good years, but it's over now and he knows it.

He said he's known it for the past two years that it was coming to an end. Wonder where he will land up at next.

 

[DJT]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers announced Friday that coach John Fox will not return next season and that the contracts of his assistant coaches will not be renewed.

John Fox's tenure in Carolina shouldn't have ended the way it did, but it was time for the Panthers to move on, ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas writes.

"I told John today that I appreciate everything he has done for us over the last nine years, but as happens in this business, it is time for both sides to move in different directions," Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement.

Fox's departure has been no secret, and his last full practice at the Panthers' complex was an odd scene with the Meineke Car Care Bowl about to kick off just a few steps away. Fox gathered the players around him shortly before noon, with a burst of laughter heard from players as they broke toward the locker room.

"It's been a lot of great memories, a lot of fond memories, a lot of great relationships and something I'll cherish forever," Fox said. "Now [I'll] just embark on the next chapter."

Fox was first denied a contract extension after the 2008 season. He entered the last year of his deal this fall after the Panthers began a youth movement that's left them an NFL-worst 2-13 and the league's worst offense, but they will have the No. 1 overall draft pick in April.

"It's not new," Fox said of his impending departure. "It's something I've been preparing for actually for a couple of years."

League sources told ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas that Fox was allowed to explore other options before this season. Sources said he was a candidate for the Buffalo Bills' opening that eventually went to Chan Gailey, but Fox elected to finish out his contract with the Panthers.

A rift had developed between Richardson and Fox since Carolina's 33-13 loss to Arizona in the team's last playoff game in January 2009. Fox was more vocal this season in showing displeasure for several personnel moves that left the Panthers short on experience and talent.

[+] Enlarge
Joe Nicholson/US Presswire
John Fox said Friday he knew that the Panthers wouldn't retain him as coach after the 2010 season for almost two years.
The 55-year-old Fox, who is making more than $6 million this season, is 78-73 in Carolina, which includes the franchise's only Super Bowl appearance after the 2003 season. But the Panthers have never had consecutive winning seasons under Fox, who inherited a 1-15 team from George Seifert in 2002.

In his statement, Richardson didn't address what he'd be looking for in a new coach. Only Jeff Fisher in Tennessee, Bill Belichick in New England and Andy Reid in Philadelphia have been with their teams longer than Fox, who had been the New York Giants' defensive coordinator.

"While we haven't accomplished all of the goals we set as an organization when we signed him in 2002, we have certainly had our share of high moments -- the Super Bowl, two NFC championship games, and a division title in 2008," said Richardson, who hasn't answered questions from reporters in almost three years. "We wish John and his family the best going forward."

There was a light mood around Friday's practice and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said Fox never brought up his ouster with the players. Munnerlyn said by phone that the news was "shocking."

"It's sad and it kind of hurts, too," Munnerlyn said. "These are the guys who have been coaching me since I came into the league last year, so you get close to them. It makes me sad to see them go."

Lost His Way
Since John Fox was hired by Carolina in 2002, only two coaches have lost more games in their respective conference than the Panthers.

Coach Conference losses
Jeff Fisher 56
Marvin Lewis 53
John Fox 49
Jack Del Rio 48
-- Source: ESPN Stats and Information
Added tight end Dante Rosario: "It's difficult to see them go. It's not an easy thing to take."

It follows a theme of players lining up to support Fox, known for being tough but also as a player's coach. Fox has been able to hold onto the locker room despite his lame-duck status and the team's poor record.

"I'll say this," Fox said before hustling inside after practice, "these guys have stayed enthusiastic and have continued to work very hard all season."

The Panthers will be without cornerback Chris Gamble (ankle), fullback Tony Fiammetta (ankle) and defensive tackle Ed Johnson (knee) against the Falcons (12-3), who need the win to lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Receiver Steve Smith (calf) also is questionable after missing practice Friday, further depleting a team that had serious deficiencies before being hit with a number of injuries.

Armed with the No. 1 pick and a new coach, the Panthers are hoping to make a quick turnaround.

"I guess the owner and the general manager are trying to make this team better," Munnerlyn said, "so we have to put our faith in them."

Well its official. He's out of there. Too bad for him, its not totally his fault he couldn't turn around a horrible team.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Marvin Lewis second on that list in conference losses, he may be the next head coach to go. It's time for Carolina to start over, they need some major rebuilding.