In rare public appearance, Panthers owner David Tepper addresses state of franchise
Since owner David Tepper bought the Carolina Panthers in 2019, the team has endured consistent turnover at several prominent organizational positions.
The Panthers have had four head coaches (two interims and one inherited), two general managers (one inherited), and three team presidents. An incomplete, $800 million practice facility sits in Rock Hill, South Carolina, too.
On Monday after firing coach Matt Rhule, Tepper spoke for the first time since April about the state of his franchise. Here are the key takeaways:
Football aside, Tepper Sports & Entertainment has “won”
Tepper owns Tepper Sports & Entertainment, which includes the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC.
On Monday he said that he considers the record-setting attendance of Charlotte FC, live music at Bank of America Stadium and the restaurants nearby that benefit.
“In these four years, two COVID years, we brought in a soccer team that is setting records,” Tepper said. “We brought (concerts) back to Charlotte. We’ve reopened restaurants because of what we’ve done here. So if you look at what has really been done on the field by this organization there has been no lack of progress in these four years.”
Charlotte FC finished second out of 28 MLS teams in average per-game attendance with 35,176
He’s right about that, but football fans want NFL wins, which was ultimately why Rhule was fired.
It’s about winning
Rhule went 11-27 over his two-plus years as head coach. That record would get most coaches fired.
“There has been progress but we have not gotten over the hump,” Tepper said. “We need to get over the hump.”
When asked to elaborate on what the “hump” is, Tepper said the team must show that it is likely going to win more games than it did the year before.
“It’s winning. Winning…. By that definition, I don’t think we’re over the hump,” Tepper said. “We started off 1-4 this year. We had five wins the last two seasons…. We have to somehow change that culture.”
Establishing a culture
Winning breeds culture. Tepper said he inherited a team without a winning track record.
I don’t think it ever had a real culture of winning, Tepper said.
From 2013 to 2016, the Panthers won three NFC South titles and had the sixth-highest winning percentage in the NFL.
Despite firing Rhule, Tepper said the team is making progress.
“I think that we have a pretty good culture in some respects in the building,” Tepper said.
Rhule tried establishing a culture, and many Panthers players believe he was. Regardless, “Keep Pounding” was established in the Carolinas far before Tepper or Rhule arrived.
Who is the long-term GM and quarterback?
Steve Wilks will serve as the team’s interim head coach. With 12 games left, Tepper said Wilks has an opportunity to be considered for the full-time job once he opens search in January.
He was not willing to speculate on who the long-term head coach, general manager or quarterback will be.
General manager Scott Fitterer has successfully overhauled the roster, improving the defense and offensive line. Yet, Tepper would not commit to Fitterer beyond this season. As for the quarterback, Tepper did not mention Baker Mayfield by name.
“We may have that person right now,” Tepper said. “I believe will find that person going forward.”
This story was originally published October 10, 2022 at 5:56 PM with the headline "In rare public appearance, Panthers owner David Tepper addresses state of franchise."
