Panthers fire GM Marty Hurney

The Carolina Panthers have fired general manager Marty Hurney after more than a decade on the job.

Owner Jerry Richardson announced this morning that Hurney, who joined the club in 2002 and helped the Panthers to an appearance in Super Bowl XXVIII, was let go a day after a 19-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys that dropped Carolina to 1-5.

“This was an extremely difficult decision," Richardson said in a team statement released by the organization. "Marty made every effort to bring success to the Panthers and took the team to a Super Bowl and two NFC championship games. 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."

Hurney had been with the Panthers since 1998. He was working without a contract so that made it an easier decision for Richardson in that respect. It was Hurney who hired Ron Rivera as coach a year ago and selected quarterback Cam Newton with the top pick in the draft.
 

"As General Manager I will always regret not helping us win the Super Bowl or having back-to-back winning seasons,” Hurney said in the release. “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. I am responsible for everybody in coaching, the players, the scouts and everybody in football operations. After six weeks, we are 1-5 coming off a 6-10 season."

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune