We can cross one candidate off the list of Panthers head coaching options. According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones (via Twitter), Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo will not be interviewing for the job. Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston was first with the news (on Twitter).
A few days after we learned that the Panthers had requested an interview with Mayo, the Patriots revealed that they were working on a new contract with the coach that would keep him in New England for the foreseeable future. Mayo later backed out of his defensive coordinator interview with the Browns, a development that wasn’t particularly surprising since Mayo effectively has the same role in New England. However, it’s telling that Mayo is also rejecting head coaching opportunities, an indication that he could emerge from the Patriots negotiations with a new job title.
Elsewhere on the OC front, the Panthers have scheduled an interview with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for Wednesday (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Twitter). However, there are some question marks surrounding the interview status of 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. We heard yesterday that an interview still hadn’t been scheduled due to logistical reasons, and while the organization still hopes to interview the coach, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets that an interview may not happen depending on the length of the 49ers’ playoff run and the progress of the Panthers’ coaching search. Person adds that the organization still needs to conduct an in-person interview with another minority candidate to comply with the Rooney rule.
With Mayo off the board (and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh no longer on the radar), the current list of candidates includes:
- Jim Caldwell, former head coach (Lions): Interviewed
- Ken Dorsey, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested
- Mike Kafka, offensive coordinator (Giants): Interview requested
- Frank Reich, former head coach (Colts): Interview expected
- DeMeco Ryans, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview postponed
- Shane Steichen, offensive coordinator (Eagles): To interview 1/14
- Steve Wilks, interim head coach (Panthers): To interview 1/10
wow. I don’t know why they won’t wanna take that chance. I do understand being Leary of the organizations direction, but if you become to selective, you might not get another chance
Ya but if you take the wrong job it could mess up ur whole coaching career and right now the panthers, browns and Texans would be the wrong team unlike maybe the Arizona, Denver and maybe Indy
Since a black head coach turned down the interview, does it count for the Rooney rule? If they refuse to interview, for whatever reason, what can the teams do to ‘fulfill’ the rule.
Not sure but it’s moot in Carolina’s case because they’re interviewing Caldwell and Wilks. (Wilks doesn’t count if they hired him permanently from within without doing interviews, but interviewing him even as the incumbent interim HC does count.)
It was an honest question. Some turn down interviews. Happens every year for HC & GM roles. But if a team asks 2 blacks (for example) to interview and they say ‘no’. Does the team have to interview a black candidate they’re not interested in?
Oh, I’m just passing on related info, not arguing. I’m curious too, never really considered a case like that before but it’s certainly possible. I don’t know the answer but I’d like to.
I didn’t mean to imply you were arguing. Sorry about that. However, there’s no way I’d give Flores an interview. He ruined that for himself.
I think the Rooney rule refers to ethnic-minority candidates, not specifically African-Americans. However, your question is a good one.
Also does the rule kick in this yr that they have to with OC & DC that could be y they haven’t just give O’Brian the OC job already
Mayo has good cause to turn down the Carolina offer. New England is working toward a new contract for him so he can take over as head coach whenever Belichick steps down. Remember, defense wins championships!
No MAYO for the Panthers !!
Move on to:
MIRACLE-WHIP
and
SPIN-BLEND !!
Miracle Whip sucks