Mike Shula Interviews for Panthers OC Job
By Josh Hill
The void left by new Browns coach Rob Chudzinski still hasn’t been filled in Carolina. But while there are still names out there like Pat Shurmur and Hue Jackson who can step up and do the job, the Panthers are looking to stay internal with the matter and have interviewed quarterback coach Mike Shula for the position.
Promoting Shula would make sense in that Cam Newton controls the hire. One thing that tends to sink young quarterbacks is a constant carousel of coordinators that are always changing the schemes and how things are run. In Newton’s first two seasons, Chudzinski offered continuity but this is the first time in Newton’s career he’ll have a new guy calling the plays.
Shula provides that continuity Newton needs.
Shurmur, Jackson or any of the other number of guys that can be considered for the job are nice options but they’ll come in and want to do things their way without having prior knowledge of how things are really done. Shula coached under Chudzkinski last season, he knows the system and he knows Newton. If the Panthers don’t want to stunt Newton’s growth, promoting Shula might be the best option for them.
A lot more than Newton’s growth is riding on this season as well. Ron Rivera wiggled his way out of the Gallows Pole this offseason and somehow survived a firing. Despite a poor season and a new general manager, Rivera is still around but he’s on serious notice for the 2013 season.
Whoever chosen for the offensive coordinator job will have Rivera’s fate in their hands, as everything in Carolina rides on Cam Newton.