Rip Scherer was the Cleveland Browns' assistant head coach the last two seasons and quarterbacks coach for the last four following a 30-year career in the college ranks. (PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS)*
CHARLOTTE -- The Carolina Panthers named Rip Scherer as quarterbacks coach, the team announced Thursday. He replaces Mike McCoy, who was named offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos earlier this week.
Scherer, 56, spent the previous four years (2005-2008) with the Cleveland Browns, serving as the quarterbacks coach from 2005-2006 before adding assistant head coach duties to his responsibilities from 2007-2008.
"Rip has worked with offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson and should have a smooth transition to the Panthers," said Carolina head coach John Fox. "He brings experience as well as a familiarity of our system and we look forward to working with him."
During his tenure in Cleveland, Scherer helped Browns quarterback Derek Anderson earn his first Pro Bowl invitation in 2007 after throwing for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns.
While in Cleveland, Scherer coached with current Panthers offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, who supervised the Browns' offensive line in 2005 and 2006 before joining Carolina. Scherer succeeded Davidson as Cleveland's assistant head coach in 2007.
Prior to joining the Browns, Scherer spent over 30 years as a coach at the collegiate level, most recently as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2003-2004 and the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Kansas (2001).
Scherer's resume also includes two head coaching stints at the college level. He served as the head coach at James Madison University from 1991-1994 before moving on to the University of Memphis from 1995-2000. Scherer spent time as an assistant coach at the University of Arizona (1988-1990), University of Alabama (1987), Georgia Tech (1980-1986) and University of Virginia (1979).
