Carolina fires first coach
Panthers let Capers go after dismal 4-12 season
Posted: Monday December 28, 1998 04:01 PM
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Dom Capers was the NFL's coach of the year in 1996 Rick Stewart/Allsport |
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) -- The Carolina Panthers fired
coach Dom Capers on Monday, one day after the team finished the worst
season in its four-year existence.
Capers (30-34) was released two years after leading the Panthers to a 13-5
record and the NFC West title, prompting his selection as the NFL's top
coach.
But Carolina followed that 1996 success with a 7-9 season before dipping to
4-12 this year. The year ended Sunday with a 27-19 victory over
Indianapolis. It represented the Panthers' first back-to-back victories in
nearly 14 months, but it wasn't enough to convince owner Jerry Richardson
to retain Capers for another season.
Candidates the Panthers might court as possible replacements include George
Seifert and Mike Holmgren.
Carolina opened the year with a franchise-record seven consecutive losses,
and the Panthers lost nine games that were decided by seven points or less.
It wound up being the Panthers' most injury-plagued year yet, and it was
capped by a pair of final-month disciplinary suspensions. Halfback Fred Lane was sat down for
one game for grabbing his crotch while celebrating a touchdown, and outside
linebacker Kevin Greene
also was suspended for a game for attacking assistant coach Kevin Steele on
the sidelines.
The last half of Capers' tenure was hampered by a failed franchise-building
plan and an owner with visions of quick glory.
| Capers' Record |
| Year | Team | W |
L | T |
Pct. |
1995
1996
1997
1998
1996
| REGULAR SEASON
Carolina
Carolina
Carolina
Carolina
Totals
POSTSEASON
Carolina
Totals
|
7
12
6
3
28
1
1
|
9
4
9
13
35
1
1
|
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
|
.438
.750
.406
.188
.445
.500
.500
| |
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Richardson, who originally predicted his team would win a Super Bowl within
10 years, selected Bill Polian as his general manager and directed him to
compile the talent needed to meet that goal.
Polian decided to build a defense with proven veteran free agents and
construct an offense with young players acquired through the draft. But
Polian has since departed for a similar job in Indianapolis, and his
building plan for the Panthers appears to have failed.
Carolina's older defenders, the driving force in the Panthers' playoff run
two years ago, have all but vanished. Of the 11 starters on Carolina's 1996
defense, the only player left who still contributes regularly is lineman Mike Fox.
The Panthers' drafting strategy also has backfired in numerous areas.
Carolina's first three draft picks in 1995 were quarterback Kerry Collins, cornerback
Tyrone Poole and
offensive tackle Blake
Brockermeyer. Collins was cut this year after questions were raised
about his commitment; Poole lost his starting job and was subsequently
traded, and Brockermeyer has been one of the least reliable and durable
members of the Panthers' line.
The Panthers' top picks in 1996 and 1997, halfback Tshimanga Biakabutuka
and wide receiver Rae
Carruth, have started just 24 of a possible 80 games between them. And
defensive end Jason
Peter, Carolina's No. 1 pick in 1998, made just 11 starts before his
rookie year was prematurely ended by injury.
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