Welcome to the League, Rook

by Zacharyrc | 4 years ago | 0 Comments

Chapter 3

Keep Hatin

I think that once it is all said and done, these words will live in Redzone history. Yes. These were once the words of Coach Carpenter when being hassled about his future in the Redzone League. I think many coaches would agree with me that the feud between division rivals Mojica and Carpenter was one of the most interesting ones of the cycle. While Carpenter often found himself in many disputes with other coaches, none was more fiery than the one that brewed in the NFC South. Mojica was clearly the more dominant coach in the series; however, Carpenter always came back with the same bark. 

I do not know the exact stat line for the series between the Saints and the Panthers; however, I do know that it was not in the Panthers favor. “I came in underestimating the talent. I didn’t realize what awaited,” stated Carpenter. Many coaches entering the league for the first time tend to underestimate their opponents and the inevitable learning curve. “As much as I hate to lose I’ve learned from the best in this league. Sharing a division with coach Moji is a challenge alone. In my experience I’ve never met anyone quite like him. His confidence, his skill, his knowledge, everything that makes him the coach he is. We have taken many losses from his squad. But I am a better coach because of him.” 

Coach Mojica was Carpenter’s first and, ironically, last game of the cycle. The week 16 matchup would be the last time the two face off in the same division and furthermore, as rivals. The Saints came away with the win inside the Mercedes Dome in a 21-20 thriller. Just like that, a cycle long of animosity seemed to be over. The two coaches shared a moment together following the game and ever since, foes became friends. "I've reached out to him a lot. He is a coach that knows how to win and he has been very willing to share his knowledge with me,” said Carpenter at the conclusion of the season. The Panthers were able to return the favor to Mojica's Saints by defeating the Falcons in week 17. The win by the Panthers clinched a playoff berth for Mojica's last ride in New Orleans. 

The future of these two coaches seems very bright and with the coaching carousel around the corner, it will be interesting where the two end up. “Looking back, I wouldn’t change anything. I needed to learn the hard way. I needed to be humbled.” Humbled he was. Falling short of the playoffs in all eight seasons with Carolina, being the blunt end of many jokes and taking his fair share of losses, Coach Carpenter stands defeated. Only time will tell if the league will indeed “Keep Hatin.”