Read the debate intro and the arguments from Babe Ruthless and Loyal Homer about whether or not Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox should lose his job.
For me, these coaching debates are always the most fun to have. No argument is REALLY ever wrong. It is a misconception that most fans eager to jettison their team’s coach are shortsighted. Rather, sometimes coaches really ARE bad and they need to be let go for the good of the team and organization. Ask Bleacher Fan how he feels about Eric Mangini. But, a warning – the response will not be safe for work.
There are Carolina Panthers fans that truly believe John Fox’s ability to coach and motivate his team are compromised. Babe Ruthless did a wonderful job of bringing together each of those arguments in a very entertaining way. Fans become frustrated with conservative coaches, conservative offense, and misplaced loyalty.
Argument by fan argument, though, the counter-thought proves that John Fox should keep his job, and the debate win is awarded to Loyal Homer.
Conservative coaches are frustrating for fans. But, for coaches it is a smart strategy. It is very hard to get fired as a conservative coach. However, coaches that take risks – even in the name of winning – appear reckless and out of control. They look dumb. John Fox is smart. Conservatism fits a defensive centered team.
It is, however, easier for conservative offensive coordinators to get fired. And, Babe Ruthless is correct that the Panthers’ offense does lack imagination and spark. But, from Babe Ruthless’ argument it appears the Panthers need a new offensive coordinator, not a new head coach.
It is fair to question Fox’s loyalty to quarterback Jake Delhomme. Delhomme’s inconsistency makes Fox’s loyalty frustrating and difficult to understand. But, it is impossible to argue that Fox should be disloyal to Delhomme on one hand and then point out that no good options exist to replace him on the other. Fox is in a difficult spot, sure. But he does not deserve blame for forced loyalty. He certainly should not be fired for it.<br
Also, though John Fox is the most visible leader of the Panthers entire organization, he is not the final decision maker. That responsibility belongs to Marty Hurney, the team’s general manager. Sure Fox consults on important decisions, but he did not design the offensive scheme nor does he call the offensive plays. Therefore it is difficult to hold Fox alone accountable for the obvious failures of the offense. Similarly, it is hard to hold the head coach responsible for the special teams not scoring any touchdowns. That is like blaming the CEO when a low level analyst makes a mistake.
John Fox is wrongly bearing the brunt of questionable front office decision making. As Loyal Homer pointed out, Fox coached a 12-4 team last season that lost to the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs. The Panthers’ schedule does open the door for a turnaround in the 2009 season, even if the path is not easy. But hey, “nothing sharpens the mind like a hangman’s noose.” Pressure is on now, Coach Fox. Make it happen.
A real question that emerges from this compelling debate is how much slack should a successful coach get? Yes, Fox should be allowed to finish the season and return next season. But, if the team starts 0-4 and fails to win a preseason game again, is he then deemed done and the Panthers need a makeover? Fox has earned the right to fail, and he has not failed yet. Yet.
