Trgovac changes his tune ?!?! - There's still hope Panther Fans

Panthers defensive coordinator post up in the air again
By Darin Gantt - daringantt@carolina.rr.com

CHARLOTTE — After it appeared he was set to sign a two-year contract extension earlier this week, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac is apparently looking for another job today.

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Trgovac was initially prepared to return to the Panthers for an eighth season and seventh as coordinator, but something happened Wednesday to change his mind.

Since then, he’s been in discussions with other teams while in Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl, looking for new work.

The unusual about-face stands as the latest in a tumultuous period for the Panthers defensive staff. They had previously lost defensive line coach Sal Sunseri (assistant head coach, University of Alabama) and linebackers coach Ken Flajole (defensive coordinator, St. Louis).

While many were crying for changes after the team’s second-half meltdown this past season, this hasn’t been the garden variety turnover.

The coaching staff was in flux for some time, as all their assistants were at the ends of their contracts when this season was over. There was a lag in extension talks, and they only started renewing many of them (with new two-year deals) this week in Mobile, Ala., where they gathered for the Senior Bowl.

The status of secondary coach Tim Lewis remains up in the air as well. Of the group of defensive coaches, Mike Gillhamer (safeties) might be the safest, given his long-standing relationship with Fox. The two worked together with the New York Giants, and Fox brought him here in 2004.

The Panthers had been steadfast in their defense of Trgovac’s work, even as he became the latest lightning-rod for criticism among the fan base. He was offered a new two-year deal this week, and was prepared to accept before his apparent reversal Wednesday night.

It’s unknown at this point if the breakdown was a result of contract negotiations gone awry or other factors.

While the Panthers late-season slide was dramatic, Trgovac’s defenses have been generally good during his tenure here. Three times since 2003 (when he took over after Jack Del Rio left for the Jacksonville head coaching job) the Panthers ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed. And under his watch, the team hasn’t finished worse than 15th in the league in points allowed, the key measure of his style moreso than yards.

Darin Gantt - daringantt@carolina.rr.com

I guess now we will find out if Trgovac was the problem or if he got his marching orders from Fox.

Whoever comes in I hope they bring an attacking aggressive style of defense much like the Ravens and Steelers. They are not afraid to get after you. I think thats the way defenses should be played. They sure are more fun to watch.

-Rain

You're dead on it Rain. I'm really curious to find out what led to this massive defection. Not that it matters. We need some workhorses that will lay the wood and a DC that's not afraid to attack.

Rain wrote:

Whoever comes in I hope they bring an attacking aggressive style of defense much like the Ravens and Steelers. They are not afraid to get after you. I think thats the way defenses should be played. They sure are more fun to watch.
-Rain

Exactly!!!!! Build a defense to be FEARED!!!