Reports: Panthers to Fire Seifert

As the New England Patriots danced their way off the field in celebration of winning the AFC East title, the Carolina Panthers hung their heads, embarrassed by their 15th consecutive defeat.

Their coach, George Seifert, showed no emotion as he walked off probably for the final time with the Panthers. Carolina’s 38-6 loss to the Patriots on Sunday is not the final memory Seifert wants from his tenure, but it’s likely out of his hands.

“I plan on coaching this team next year, absolutely,” said Seifert, who has two years left on his contract. “I don’t plan on resigning the job.”

But speculation has begun that he’ll be fired, with Steve Spurrier’s name buzzing around Charlotte since his resignation as coach at Florida on Friday. Panther owner Jerry Richardson declined comment, but he and Seifert are scheduled to meet this morning.

The Charlotte Observer posted on its Web site, citing an unidentified source, that Seifert would be forced out today.

https://CBSsportsline.com, meanwhile, reported that Seifert would be fired.

That’s what happens when a rebuilding effort goes terribly awry, as it did with the Panthers, the first team in NFL history to lose 15 consecutive games in a season.

“It’s very depressing to be part of this dubious record,” cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock said. “George’s future hasn’t crossed my mind, honestly, because the only thing I can think about is that we just lost 15 straight.”

In doing so, they helped the Patriots continue their surprising turnaround. New England (11-5) rolled to its sixth consecutive victory while winning its first division title since 1997.

“We worked so hard after winning five games last year and being written off early this year,” safety Lawyer Milloy said. “We were in the same boat that the Panthers are in today, going home early, and it’s a sickening feeling. We put in a lot of hard work to turn it around, and hard work pays off.”

The win came with plenty of help from the Panthers, who went out in the same hapless fashion they played all season--committing six turnovers, two for scores.

And they did so in near privacy. The announced crowd was 21,070, less than half the previous franchise low. Adding insult to Carolina (1-15) were the huge sections of Patriot fans waving red and blue and raucously celebrating every New England score.

The Patriots struck early and didn’t stop, using all their resources to assure wrapping up the division title without having to wait for later games.

Ty Law returned Chris Weinke’s first interception 46 yards for a touchdown and Otis Smith returned Weinke’s third interception 76 yards for another score. Troy Brown ran back a punt 68 yards for a touchdown and Antowain Smith had a 32-yard touchdown run.

Richard Huntley set a Panther record with 168 yards rushing.