Panthers fire general manager Marty Hurney
Marty Hurney's ten-year run as the Carolina Panthers general manager came to an end Monday morning with the team confirming on its website that he'd been dismissed.
"This was an extremely difficult decision," Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said.
"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."
Behind offensive rookie of the year Cam Newton, the Panthers seemed to be a team on the rise despite going 6-10 in 2011. Newton's dual threat talents under center revitalized a once-dormant offense. And with several defensive stars returning from major injuries, including linebacker Jon Beason, Carolina was considered a playoff dark horse this season in some quarters.
But at 1-5, and losers of four in a row, the Panthers are mired in last place in the NFC South, and Newton's shaken confidence has become a blossoming topic for debate.
The offense currently ranks 28th. Hurney's investment of nearly $80 million over the past year in tailbacks DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart — they've combined for 319 rushing yards so far — seems misplaced, though their deployment in the offense is also highly questionable.
Hurney also committed major contracts to quarterback Jake Delhomme, safety Charles Godfrey and Beason in recent years, and none has proven a wise investment for various reasons. He also signed defensive end Charles Johnson to a six-year, $72 million deal in 2011, one year after failing to re-sign franchise sack leader Julius Peppers.
Though he got Newton with the top pick in 2011, Hurney's recent draft record has been spotty at best. He mortgaged the future to acquire players like Jeff Otah and Armanti Edwards, disastrous moves in hindsight. Second rounders Jimmy Clausen, Everette Brown, Dwayne Jarrett and Keary Colbert were all major misses.
Yet it was hardly all bad even though the Panthers never managed consecutive winning seasons in the Hurney era.
In conjunction with longtime coach John Fox, Hurney oversaw three playoff runs during his tenure, including the team's lone Super Bowl berth following the 2003 season and an NFC Championship Game appearance following the 2005 campaign. The Panthers won the NFC South in 2008 and earned a first-round bye but were upset by the Arizona Cardinals in the divisional round.
Carolina is 17-37 since.
"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."