Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said after Carolina's latest crushing loss that "something had to change." It didn't take long.
The Panthers announced Monday morning that General Manager Marty Hurney has been relieved of his duties. He's run the team since 2002.
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"This was an extremely difficult decision," said owner Jerry Richardson in a statement. "Marty made every effort to bring success to the Panthers and took the team to a Super Bowl and two NFC championship games. Unfortunately, we have not enjoyed the success we hoped for in recent years. I have the greatest respect and admiration for Marty and will always appreciate the way he tirelessly served the organization."
The Panthers had their share of success under Hurney, but it was never sustained. They followed up their Super Bowl year with a 7-9 season. They followed up their '08 12-4 season with an 8-8 mark. Hurney was never able to deliver back-to-back winning years.
Things really went south after 2008. Hurney doubled down on Jake Delhomme's contract, which put his team in a huge hole. He got the Jimmy Clausen pick wrong. Outside of Cam Newton, the Panthers have very little to show for the last few drafts.
Hurney went on a spending spree before the 2011 season to poor results. They have the highest paid backfield in the league with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Their rushing attack is 24th in rushing attempts despite giving $43 million guaranteed to their top two backs.
Whether it was John Fox or the current coach Ron Rivera, Hurney and the coaching staff didn't always seem to be on the same page.
"I am very fortunate to have been a part of one of the best organizations in the NFL since 1998," Hurney said. "As General Manager I will always regret not helping us win the Super Bowl or having back-to-back winning seasons. I hope this change starts accomplishing the direction to those goals. I understand this decision by Mr. Richardson and will always have an extremely close relationship with him. I consider him the best owner in the NFL. I am responsible for everybody in coaching, the players, the scouts and everybody in football operations. After six weeks, we are 1-5 coming off a 6-10 season."
It is a very unusual to fire a general manager in the middle of the season, but this is Richardson's signal that change is coming to Carolina. It's also a reminder how difficult life in the NFL can be. The Panthers have lost four games by one score.
If they complete another pass or two, Hurney still has his job.
The Panthers announced Monday morning that General Manager Marty Hurney has been relieved of his duties. He's run the team since 2002.
Relive every game this season online and on-demand with enhanced viewing features, including the "All-22" coaches film. Get NFL Game Rewind.
"This was an extremely difficult decision," said owner Jerry Richardson in a statement. "Marty made every effort to bring success to the Panthers and took the team to a Super Bowl and two NFC championship games. Unfortunately, we have not enjoyed the success we hoped for in recent years. I have the greatest respect and admiration for Marty and will always appreciate the way he tirelessly served the organization."
The Panthers had their share of success under Hurney, but it was never sustained. They followed up their Super Bowl year with a 7-9 season. They followed up their '08 12-4 season with an 8-8 mark. Hurney was never able to deliver back-to-back winning years.
Things really went south after 2008. Hurney doubled down on Jake Delhomme's contract, which put his team in a huge hole. He got the Jimmy Clausen pick wrong. Outside of Cam Newton, the Panthers have very little to show for the last few drafts.
Hurney went on a spending spree before the 2011 season to poor results. They have the highest paid backfield in the league with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Their rushing attack is 24th in rushing attempts despite giving $43 million guaranteed to their top two backs.
Whether it was John Fox or the current coach Ron Rivera, Hurney and the coaching staff didn't always seem to be on the same page.
"I am very fortunate to have been a part of one of the best organizations in the NFL since 1998," Hurney said. "As General Manager I will always regret not helping us win the Super Bowl or having back-to-back winning seasons. I hope this change starts accomplishing the direction to those goals. I understand this decision by Mr. Richardson and will always have an extremely close relationship with him. I consider him the best owner in the NFL. I am responsible for everybody in coaching, the players, the scouts and everybody in football operations. After six weeks, we are 1-5 coming off a 6-10 season."
It is a very unusual to fire a general manager in the middle of the season, but this is Richardson's signal that change is coming to Carolina. It's also a reminder how difficult life in the NFL can be. The Panthers have lost four games by one score.
If they complete another pass or two, Hurney still has his job.
