The Panthers launch their Organized Team Activities this week, the first official practice with Mike Shula in charge of the offense.
But coach Ron Rivera says it won’t be Shula’s offense, per se.
“It’s not necessarily his offense as much as the Panthers’ offense, what we’re going to do,” Rivera recently said, via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
Shula was bumped up from quarterbacks coach after former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski became head coach of the Browns. Rivera picked Shula in part because of the continuity he brings. Shula also is expected to rely extensively on input from the rest of the offensive staff.
Though Shula has a reputation for being conservative when it comes to calling plays, Rivera sees it differently. “I think what I like about him is his aggressive nature. I like that,” Rivera said. “I think the thing that he and I have talked about is doing things that will maximize each individual’s abilities.”
That’s the key to good coaching. Too many coaches try to force players into a predetermined system. The best coaches take the talent they have and draw up plays that highlight their strengths and hide their weaknesses.