NFL Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson's decision to name Marty Hurney as the team's interim GM after firing Dave Gettleman on Monday was the "only move Richardson could make with training camp starting in a week," according to Joseph Person of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. The Panthers could do "a lot worse than finding someone with 10-plus years of experience as a GM in your organization." Hurney is a "bridge-builder who is universally liked throughout the building," and it "shouldn't take him long to repair the rifts that were said to have formed between Gettleman and the locker room and coaches offices" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/20). ESPN’s Bill Polian called Gettleman's firing "shocking" because he "really did a good job" with the team. It was "equally shocking that Marty Hurney came back," though he is "eminently well qualified" for the position. Panthers coach Ron Rivera is "going to feel tremendous because he loves Marty, they have a great relationship. So everything in the building is smooth and easy. The big question is why was Dave Gettleman let go" (“NFL Live,” ESPN, 7/19).
MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY? ESPN.com's David Newton noted Hurney spoke with Richardson on Tuesday night "for the first time" since he was fired as Panthers GM midway through the '12 season. Hurney yesterday said of his relationship with Richardson, "We have the same thought process. We have the same philosophies and principles" (ESPN.com, 7/19). ESPN’s Trey Wingo said, “It might have been that Jerry Richardson and Marty Hurney had probably a really good relationship, even after he was fired. ... It was a mutual respect thing, and that’s probably what makes this work" (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 7/20).
