Monday 24 July 2017 17:27, UK
Marty Hurney, a former general manager fired by the Carolina Panthers in 2012, was called back into his old job Wednesday by the NFL club on an interim basis.
Hurney, who has been working as a sports radio talk show host in Charlotte, returned to the job he held from 2002 to 2012 two days after Panthers owner Jerry Richardson fired general manager Dave Gettleman in a surprise move.
Hurney, a former San Diego Chargers executive who served as a Panthers' scout from 1998-2001, took the post one week before the Panthers open pre-season training camp workouts in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
"Marty is the perfect person to help us in the interim," Richardson said. "He worked with us for 15 years and understands the culture we have here. He had a lot to do with the core of our team being in place. I'm thankful that he is willing to help us in this transition period."
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he had no input in the decision to fire Gettleman.
Hurney's first job will be to settle upon staff to guide the Panthers while the team searches for a new full-time general manager.
Hurney drafted Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly in the first round in his final two years deciding the team's NFL Draft picks and both won NFL Rookie of the Year awards.
Gettleman was criticized for releasing popular Panthers players, including receiver Steve Smith and running back DeAngelo Williams.
Carolina went 15-1 in 2015, losing Super Bowl 50 to the Denver Broncos, but the Panthers faded to 6-10 last year.
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The regular season of home and away matches run from September to December 2017, culminating in PlayOffs from January 6, 2018 and the Super Bowl on February 4, 2018 at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota to determine the world champion.
