I'm not saying this to shit on Lindy or take any credit away from him...... But we are basically last year's Panthers now.
And not because I don't think Lindy Ruff is good enough for a 13 game winning streak, but because this team looks A LOT like last year's Panthers.
I really believe Brunette is more hands-on with this team than almost any assistant (or other ''Associate'') coach in the entire league.
I just think Brunette has more influence on this team than most any other assistant or associate coach in the league, because this team looks a lot like last year's Panthers and this year's Panthers clearly don't look like last year's Panthers. Maurice's Panthers are different from Brunette's Panthers.
If I'm right and Brunette REALLY is steering this ship more than any other assistant/associate typically does, then I don't think Fitz is gonna let him leave. He'll shit or get off the pot and Brunette will be the head coach, with Lindy either staying on in some other kind of front office/special assignment role or potentially swapping places with Brunette and being demoted to assistant.
I admit that last option of them trading places is just a fantasy I have and it hardly ever happens.