Fitterer was with the Seahawks in various roles since '01, originally joining as an area scoutSEAHAWKS
The NFL Panthers are hiring Seahawks VP/Football Operations Scott Fitterer as the team’s new GM, agreeing to terms on a "five-year deal," according to Alaina Getzenberg of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Fitterer will "lead the way when it comes to personnel decisions," but Panthers coach Matt Rhule "will have a role, as well." Panthers Owner David Tepper was "one of the leaders of the hiring process," along with Rhule. The other three finalists were Titans Dir of Player Personnel Monti Ossenfort, 49ers VP/Player Personnel Adam Peters and Chiefs Assistant Dir of Player Personnel Ryan Poles. All four finalists "had a more traditional background in college scouting, and not as much the analytics side that Tepper has expressed considerable interest in." Fitterer was with the Seahawks in various roles since '01, "originally joining as an area scout and working with three head coaches during the course of his career." Tepper has largely "overhauled the organization" since buying the Panthers in '18, with many of the team's "highest ranking officials" now having been selected by him (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/15).
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: THE ATHLETIC's Joseph Person noted Tepper and Rhule were "unable to agree on a clear GM choice after interviewing a diverse group of 13 candidates last week," so they "added two more to the list" -- Steelers VP/Football & Business Adminstration Omar Khan and Fitterer. Fitterer "impressed the Panthers enough during a Monday teleconference that two days later he was in Charlotte for an in-person interview." About 24 hours later, he "had a job offer to succeed Marty Hurney," who was fired as GM in December (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/14).
