Tepper likely was won over by Rhule's track record of turning around failing college programsGETTY IMAGES
NFL Panthers Owner David Tepper took a "bold and different approach by dipping into the college ranks to hire former Baylor coach Matt Rhule," according to Joseph Person of THE ATHLETIC. It is Rhule's track record of "turning around failing programs that likely won Tepper over." The owner is "betting big" that Rhule will "save a football team in disarray." Tepper has "made his reputation and money taking chances on beleaguered companies." He "didn't build" his $12B fortune by "investing in safe, easy plays." And he "isn't going to run his football team that way, either" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/7). ESPN.com's David Newton wrote Tepper is a "risk-taker." However, he "didn't just take a risk on 44-year-old Rhule." He also "took an expensive one." ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Panthers are giving Rhule a seven-year deal with "incentives that could be worth" $70M. Tepper has "deep pockets, particularly when he believes in something." Rhule is "big into sports science and wants to take that commitment to the NFL." Tepper is a "believer in analytics, so expect that to be a focus going forward" (ESPN.com, 1/7).
FILLING THINGS OUT: In Charlotte, Alaina Getzenberg writes the Panthers now "need to address the front office." They still have a "big position to fill in the assistant general manager/vice president of football operations." That hire will be "working alongside" GM Marty Hurney so he can "focus on scouting, however, it remains unclear exactly how the relationship will work." Because Rhule is "not coming from an NFL team, he is less likely to have one person in mind he would like for the role." This will be a "major hire to get a sense of where the team's football operations department will go next" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/8). Getzenberg in a separate piece writes under the header, "By Hiring Matt Rhule, Panthers Owner David Tepper Checked Almost Every Box." Rhule is "no stranger to tough transitions and turning things around." Tepper last month said that he was looking for someone "offensive-minded, a mix of 'old-school toughness' and openness to the 'more modern processes,' and someone with an NFL background." Rhule "fits all of those but one" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/8).
TURNING THINGS AROUND: THE RINGER's Danny Heifetz writes Rhule's ability to turn around the football programs at both Baylor and Temple is the "reason he is heading" to the Panthers (THERINGER.com, 1/7). In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell writes Rhule has a "global understanding of football" and a "knack for fixing major messes" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/8). Also in Charlotte, Scott Fowler in a front-page piece writes for a Panthers team that "desperately needs a booster shot of boldness," Rhule is a "bold choice." His ability to "turn a program around had to be the primary appeal" for Tepper, who is "taking a big risk here -- a good risk." The status quo "wasn't working." Tepper, the "hedge-fund manager, is betting on himself again." If Rhule can "do in Charlotte what he did in Waco and in Philadelphia, today will be remembered as one of the most significant in Panthers history" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/8). ESPN's Jason Fitz said Tepper "wants to run things with stability," and a "seven-year deal definitely tells you that" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 1/8).
A NEW TREND? PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio noted Rhule will earn a "whopping" $8.5M per year as a first-time NFL head coach. Florio: "It's about time, frankly, that someone disrupts what arguably has been collusive activity for decades." Coaches are "worth far more than they are paid." But teams have "managed to resist an explosion of the market." Rhule could "re-set the market," which may "earn a frosty reception for Tepper when the owners gather for the annual meetings in March" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 1/7). NBC Sports' Peter King: "Tepper isn't a member of the boys' club yet. He just isn't. He hasn't been at a lot of owners' meetings" ("PFT," NBCSN, 1/8). ESPN's Adam Schefter: "Tepper thought to himself, 'It's just money.' He's already laid out enough of it for that NFL franchise, and so it didn't matter to him if he was raising the ceiling on all the NFL coaching salaries" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 1/8).
