Tag: Dan Morgan

Feb 1, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan (left) speaks with new coach Dave Canales during the introductory press conference at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers’ new brass: ‘It’s going to get better’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers introduced new general manager Dan Morgan and new head coach Dave Canales on Thursday, and Morgan made a vow to fans.

“This is a dream come true for both of us,” Morgan said. “We’re going to work our butts off. … It’s going to get better. … We’re going to do things the right way to build a championship team here.”

The Panthers finished 2-15 last season and haven’t had a winning year since 2017, when they were 11-5 but lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

For the Panthers to succeed, it will start with quarterback Bryce Young. The team gave up considerable draft capital to move up in the 2023 draft to spend the No. 1 selection on Young, who had an underwhelming rookie season.

Canales was the quarterbacks coach with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 when Geno Smith was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year. As offensive coordinator last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he called the plays that helped Baker Mayfield throw for a career high in yardage.

“Attention to the details, first and foremost. It starts off with relationships,” Canales said of Young. “I want him to be the best possible version of himself.”

He said he intends to call the plays in Carolina and will develop packages that best suit Young’s skill set.

“There are certain things you can do to help,” Canales said of aiding his 5-foot-10 quarterback. “There are ways to find what that quarterback’s comfortable seeing.”

Canales began his coaching career at a Los Angeles-area high school in 2004, then eventually landed in 2009 at Southern California and on the staff of Pete Carroll, whom he followed to the Seattle Seahawks the next year. This is his first head-coaching opportunity at any level.

“Can I say I’m nervous? Is that all right? This is a big task,” Canales said. “This is serious for me. I don’t take that lightly … I’m fired up about it. I love a great challenge.”

Morgan, who worked with Canales in Seattle, appears to be on a mission.

“We’re super passionate about bringing a team that the fans can be proud of, that our players can be proud of,” Morgan said. “When teams drive up to this stadium, we want them to fear that logo. The logo has to be feared again. ‘Cause right now, it’s not feared. So we gotta get that back. But I think it starts with getting the right players.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers promote Dan Morgan to general manager

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers promoted Dan Morgan to president of football operations/general manager on Monday.

Morgan, 45, a former first-round draft pick and Pro Bowl linebacker for the Panthers, had served as assistant GM for the past three seasons.

“Dan has a thorough knowledge of our football personnel and a clear vision to take us where we all want to go,” Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement. “We know he will attack this opportunity with the same intensity he did as a Panthers player.”

The Panthers fired Scott Fitterer after their 2-15 season.

Morgan played from 2001-07 for the Panthers, who made him the 11th overall pick of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Miami, where he was an All-American. He won the Nagurski, Butkus and Bednarik awards en route to induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

He totaled 390 tackles, five interceptions and seven sacks in 59 games (all starts) for the Panthers, made the 2001 All-Rookie Team, played in Super Bowl XXXVIII in the 2003 season and was a Pro Bowler in 2004.

Morgan worked in the front office of the Seattle Seahawks for seven seasons, rising to director of pro personnel for 2015-17. He was with the Buffalo Bills from 2018-21 as director of player personnel.

In addition to Morgan, Carolina reportedly also interviewed assistant general managers with the Giants (Brandon Brown), Eagles (Alec Halaby), Buccaneers (Mike Greenberg), Saints (Khai Harley) and Colts (Ed Dodds); Chiefs vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis; Ravens VP of football administration Nick Matteo; Raiders interim GM Champ Kelly; and Lions chief operating officer Mike Disner.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of Carolina Panthers helmets against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers hire former LB Dan Morgan as assistant GM

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers are reuniting with one of their own, hiring former linebacker and one-time first-round pick Dan Morgan as assistant general manager.

Morgan spent seven seasons, three of them injury-filled, with the Panthers after they made him the No. 11 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. He was a key member of the 2003 team, which lost Super Bowl XXXVIII to the New England Patriots, 32-29, and a Pro Bowl selection in 2004.

He retired in 2008 because of injuries and started to work in NFL front offices a few years later. Most recently, he was director of player personnel for the Buffalo Bills.

Morgan, 42, worked with Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer with the Seahawks for several years. Morgan began as an intern in Seattle in 2010, and he had been with the Bills since 2018.

The Panthers named Fitterer their general manager in January 2021. He spent 20 seasons with the Seahawks, most recently as vice president of football operations.

–Field Level Media