Fansided

NFL coaching hire grades: Redskins, Cowboys earn high marks

By Mike Phillips

ASHBURN, VA- JANUARY 2: Ron Rivera is introduced as the Washington Redskins new had coach at a Redskins Park press conference in Ashburn, VA on January 2, 2020 . (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ASHBURN, VA- JANUARY 2: Ron Rivera is introduced as the Washington Redskins new had coach at a Redskins Park press conference in Ashburn, VA on January 2, 2020 . (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

Carolina Panthers: B

The Panthers’ decision to hire Matt Rhule seemingly came out of left field. Many football people had assumed that Rhule was destined to coach the New York Giants, which had been described as his dream job, but owner David Tepper was able to lure Rhule to Charlotte with a seven-year deal.

There may not have been a hotter name in this coaching cycle than Rhule, who has demonstrated his worth at the college level. After helping to revive Temple’s football program, Rhule moved on to Baylor, where he turned the Bears into a contender for the College Football Playoff just a few years after the program was devastated by a sexual assault scandal.

Rhule has a bit of an NFL background, having served as an assistant offensive line coach for the Giants in 2012, but there is risk involved in this hire. The record of college head coaches who have moved up to the NFL has been spotty, with notable names like Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier quickly abandoning the pros to return to the college ranks.

The Panthers are banking on Rhule having more of a Jim Harbaugh-like effect, with Harbaugh turning the San Francisco 49ers into a Super Bowl contender after leaving Stanford. The market appears to be a good one for Rhule, who will have plenty of time to build a winner in Carolina under a patient owner in Tepper.

Home/NFL