Panthers coach, GM likely safe after retreat with owner

CHARLOTTE (AP) -- 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.