Carolina Panthers name Marty Hurney interim GM

The Carolina Panthers have found an interim general manager after firing Dave Gettleman. So meet the new boss – same as the old boss.

You will recall on Monday the following statement from Carolina Panthers owner and founder Jerry Richardson:

“After much thought and a long evaluation of our football operations, I have decided to relieve Dave Gettleman of his duties as general manager. I want to thank Dave for the role he played in our success over the past four seasons. While the timing of this decision is not ideal, a change is needed.”

So it’s pretty interesting that Gettleman’s replacement, at least for now, was the man he actually supplanted in 2013.

Via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the franchise is bringing back one-time executive Marty Hurney. The Panthers began play in 1995 and three years later he was hired by the organization. In 2002, he was promoted to general manager and held that position until October of 2012. He was responsible for drafting the likes of such current standouts such as linebacker Luke Kuechly (2012), quarterback Cam Newton (2011), running back Jonathan Stewart (2008) and linebacker Thomas Davis (2005) in the first round. Now he’s back with a franchise that he is very much in tune with.

“I never lost the connection with the organization,” explained Hurney via a team statement (via ESPN’s David Newton). “I’ve gained a lot of perspective and have looked at things in different ways. I think I can help this team in a lot of areas. I think I’ve grown. And I feel I’m better prepared to come in this time and do a better job than I did over the 12 years I was general manager last time.”

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Despite a pair of Super Bowl appearances in both 2003 and 2015, the Carolina Panthers have never managed to put together back-to-back winning campaigns. Perhaps taking a step away from things for a few years is a benefit to Hurney, who has the interim tag through 2017. And in the long run, this may be a good thing for both the team and the organization in general.