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WRALSportsFan

Panthers Coach, GM Likely Safe After Retreat

By Associated Press

Jan 7, 2008

Charlotte -To paraphrase the judges from "American Idol," John Fox and  Marty Hurney are safe. Or at least it appears that way.

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson held a two-day retreat
with Fox and Hurney last week to discuss next season, the strongest
signal yet that Richardson plans to retain both men.

The summit late last week at one of Richardson's vacation homes
included talk of what the team needs to do to get back into the
playoffs after consecutive non-winning seasons that has fueled
speculation about Fox and Hurney's future.

While Richardson was out of town today and continued his silence
on the issue, Hurney and Fox left the meeting thinking their jobs
were safe.

In the past two seasons the Panthers are 15-17 and have had a
series of disappointing draft picks and personnel moves that fueled
speculation about the future of Fox and Hurney.