It took a week before Ron Rivera and owner Jerry Richardson sat down to discuss the state of the Panthers and when it was learned that Rivera would be returning as head coach things have begun to move rather quickly.
While no decisions have been made on their replacements, three assistant coaches were let go yesterday and today the team hired Dave Gettleman as their new general manager. The 61-year old Boston native was the Giants Senior Pro Personnel Analyst last season after spending the previous 13 as New York’s Director of Pro Personnel.
"I was very impressed with Dave's experience and think he will be a very good fit for our organization," Panthers Owner/Founder Jerry Richardson said in a statement. "He has an extensive background in personnel and comes from an organization in the New York Giants that I hold in high regard and played an instrumental role in their success."
Gettleman has a winning pedigree having been part of six Super Bowl teams, Buffalo in 1990 and 1991, Denver in 1997 and the Giants in 2000, 2007 and 2011. Three won the Lombardi Trophy – the Broncos and two with New York (2007, 2011).
"I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to work in the Panthers organization,” Gettleman said in a release. “It is similar to the Giants organization in which I have had the privilege of working the last 15 years and has a lot of pieces in place for success. I am excited about getting started."
Former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi was hired by Richardson to lead the search for the departed Marty Hurney who was fired after the Panthers got off to a 1-5 start.
According to the Charlotte Observer, Tennessee Titans vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson, Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross and Montreal Alouettes general manager Jim Popp were also interviewed.
Gettleman faces a huge task financially as they are reported to be $16 million over the projected salary cap for 2013 and there will have to be some painful choices going forward. Carolina has not made the playoffs since 2008 and only four times in their history which began back in 1995.
Gettleman has two master's degrees: one in physical education from Southern Connecticut State (1978) and another in sports administration (1986) from St. Thomas University in Miami.
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