David Tepper held a press conference today addressing his firing of Frank Reich just eleven games into his first season and, presumably, to console fans about the franchise’s direction. The last time David Tepper did this, just a little over a year ago, things didn’t go well. Tepper was visibly annoyed about questions regarding the hiring of Matt Rhule, the timing of his release, and the processes of the football side of the business. Tepper’s frustration boiled into a Tepper tantrum when he dressed down long-time local reporter Scott Fowler, who I personally don’t think is above a slice of humble pie, but it wasn’t a good look for Tepper either. Today’s press conference was only about half the length of last year’s, and although he may not have lost his cool, it didn’t go much better either.
Dressed in a suit and a Panther’s tie (crooked albeit) instead of a plain plaid shirt with a Panthers logo like last year, Tepper started with the briefest of prepared statements about Frank Reich, Duece Staley, and Josh McCown’s dismissal, summarizing them as “good men.” Tepper then opened the floor to a few questions but avoided any answers with actual substance or transparency. When asked about the “churn” of coaches and if that reflects upon the need for new processes in selecting coaches in the future, Tepper defended that although gains on the football field haven’t been satisfying, they have continued to build on the business side of the team that provides a foundation for later onfield success. He cited an improved weight room, which I found laughable, bringing soccer to Charlotte, and the economic stimulus that 42 major events held at the stadium brings to the city.
For the most part, the presser was bland and uneventful. Tepper wasn’t bad; he just wasn’t good. He wasn’t offputting entirely, but he wasn’t endearing in the least. Instead of opening up to tough questions, Tepper kept the press conference brief. When he fielded some of the tougher questions, like about the process of selecting Bryce Young #1, he responded with statements like, “The process was done the way the process was done.”
However, he offered one glimpse behind the curtain when asked if he may have tipped the scales on Bryce Young over CJ Stroud. Towards the end of his response, he admitted that the Panthers initially believed they would be trading into the #2 spot, and after the Texans selected Bryce Young at #1, they would select CJ Stroud. He then noted that when Carolina secured the #1 pick, they found a consensus between coaches, scouts, and himself on Young as their pick.
Tepper ended the press conference almost abruptly, and if it hadn’t been for a reporter who guilted Tepper and friends into one last question, the entire presser would have been under ten minutes. Tepper hasn’t done much to evoke much confidence from the fan base. As Carolina has struggled on the field, Tepper has struggled to be endearing or even likable to the fans. For a guy who was celebrated for listening to the fans, dancing on the sidelines, and drinking beer at the Roaring Riot tailgate, he’s now largely disliked by fans, seen as the source of many of the team’s struggles, leaving his name to become more synonymous with Dan Snyder. Hell, Jerry Jones probably sends him a Christmas card that thanks him for taking the heat off of him for being the meddling owner in the way of success.
Tepper has continued to show that this is business. All of the success he notes sounds like a CEO on a quarterly conference call, who is on the call out of obligation and knows that whatever the results are, they will never be enough for the shareholders. The business is making money, though! Charlotte has music now. The Panthers may stink, but business is good, Tepper assures.
Honestly, I’m not sure what type of responses would satisfy me as a fan and this fanbase who is just living in misery. This wasn’t it, however. Maybe asking for a bit of humility is too much from a billionaire. Concert tickets may be plentiful, but touchdowns and Sunday wins aren’t. I’m not sure how this gets turned around with an owner-turned-event planner who isn’t ready to honestly look in the mirror and say, “damn, my tie is crooked as shit…why didn’t anyone say something?”
By Tony Dunn
Host of the C3 Panthers Podcast
@Cat_Chronicles