Friday morning coaching thoughts | The Herald

— One thing has surprised me about the reaction to Mike Trgovac leaving. You do know it was his choice, right? There's some street-dancing going on as if he was fired and that was a good thing, but it's just wrong-headed. This idea that Trgovac was a bumbler who held this defense back is simply a myth, one which I suspect will be proven untrue soon enough.

— I personally find it hilarious that the first rumor for Trgovac was Jacksonville, where the Golden God of Defense Jack Del Rio works.

Honestly, if Trgovac was chiseled and tan and handsome, had perfect teeth and jumped around like Del Rio did and does, I think a lot of people would think differently about him. But because he looks a little like Fred Flintstone and doesn't have that big personality, people view him as somehow less of a coach. 

They ran the same defenses here (the ones John Fox told them to), and Trgovac did it with more success. Ask players and they tell you of the pair, Trgovac's blitzed more and was more aggressive. Del Rio had the benefit of coming in fresh off 2001 (and having Mark Fields), so his feats are remembered more fondly than perhaps they merit.

I just think Trgovac becoming a pariah is odd and shallow and troubling all at the same time. 

— There's no need to panic yet. They have a number of assistants under contractual lock and key already, but this whole scene's made them gun-shy about saying so until every T is crossed. 

— There are two clear paths the Panthers can take on filling this staff, and it'll tell you much about their plans. 

There are some young kids out there doing good work, and there are some old hands who Fox has worked with before. They're getting a bit of a late start on this one, but I have a feeling they're going to move quickly to get some things cemented in the next few days.