Capers Reportedly on the Firing Line in Carolina

With the Carolina Panthers quickly going from one of the NFL’s promising teams to one of its worst, Dom Capers’ job grows less secure by the day.

And owner Jerry Richardson, who has not granted interviews in six months, is not saying if he plans to oust the coach whose team played for the NFC title two years ago but is now 2-12.

Four newspapers, all quoting unidentified sources, reported Thursday that Richardson will not allow Capers to return for a fifth season.

Capers said he has not spoken with Richardson since Monday at their regular weekly meeting.

“Nothing out of the ordinary,” Capers said when asked about the conversation.

“The things that I have control over, I throw myself 100% into,” he said. “The things that you don’t, you don’t spend a whole lot of time worrying about. I think it takes a lot of tunnel vision in this business, and that hasn’t changed since day one.”

One Carolina coach who definitely won’t be back next season is assistant Kevin Steele, who told the team Thursday that he’s leaving to take the head-coaching job at Baylor. Kevin Greene attacked Steele on the sideline during last Sunday’s game, but the coach had interviewed for the Baylor job before the scuffle.

The four newspapers cited Steve Spurrier as a possible successor for Capers, but the Florida coach said he does not plan to leave the Gators.

“I had a great chance a couple of years ago, but since I didn’t go then, I don’t think the NFL will call me,” he said. “But it is flattering to have those rumors thrown out there.”

The Green Bay Packers’ Mike Holmgren was also mentioned as a possible successor.

Holmgren’s agent, Robert LaMonte, said that if Holmgren were to leave, the Panthers would be an attractive option.

Just two years ago, Capers was honored as the NFL’s coach of the year. The Panthers, however, are one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments after spending millions on free agents in the off-season.