CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For now the Carolina Panthers appear content to wait for the NFL to complete its investigation into an allegation of harassment against interim general manager Marty Hurney before naming a full-time GM.
That would support that Hurney, whose ex-wife made the allegation almost two weeks ago before dropping her complaint in a Charlotte court, is the front-runner for the job if the league finds no wrongdoing.
NFL investigator Lisa Friel interviewed Hurney on Friday. The former New York City sex crime prosecutor also interviewed others in the organization.
As of Tuesday afternoon, that investigation was not complete and the league offered no timetable for when it would be.
But who gets the job if Hurney, who will remain on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete, doesn’t get a favorable judgment from the league?
Meet Lake Dawson.
Dawson, 46, is the assistant director of college scouting for the Buffalo Bills. He is one of three minority candidates that interviewed with a committee led by Panthers chief executive officer Tina Becker and including head coach Ron Rivera.
The others interviewed were Houston Texans assistant general manager Jimmy Raye III and former Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew.
But Dawson was brought back for a second interview last week, making him the front-runner among those outside the organization. He also was given strong consideration for the job in January of 2013, when Dave Gettleman was hired to replace Hurney.
Gettleman, now the general manager of the New York Giants, was fired prior to training camp and Hurney was hired on an interim basis.
Those familiar with the Panthers know a lot about Hurney, who was with the team from 1997 through a 1-5 start to the 2012 season.
Here’s some what you need to know about Dawson should he become the GM:
In 1994, the Notre Dame wide receiver was a third-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs.
He lined up for his first NFL game beside Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana and Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen.
He spent four years with the Chiefs before his career was cut short by injuries. He had 103 catches for 1,406 yards and 10 touchdowns in 43 games, including 26 starts.
He tried to continue his career with the Indianapolis Colts, but never played a down. It was there that general manager/team president Bill Polian, the first GM of the Panthers, suggested Dawson should get into the personnel side of the NFL.
In 2001, Dawson became the pro personnel assistant for the Seattle Seahawks. He was promoted to assistant director of pro personnel in 2005.
In 2007, Dawson was named the director of pro scouting for the Titans. He was promoted to vice president of football operations in 2011 and vice president of player personnel in 2012.
In January of 2015 he interviewed for the general manager’s job at Chicago.
After being let go by the Titans after the 2015 season Dawson served the 2016 season as a national scout for the Cleveland Browns.
He spent the 2017 season as the assistant director of college scouting for the Bills, where former Panthers assistant general manager Brandon Beane was in his first season as the general manager.
He has an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
He played at Notre Dame under legendary coach Lou Holtz, who convinced Dawson on his first official college visit to attend what then was a top-five college football program.
After his first interview with the Panthers, Dawson told the team website this: "I'm not coming here to necessarily tear anything down or re-establish anything, but really just to be an asset and to serve and lead. I think that we have a franchise-caliber quarterback (Cam Newton) and a great head coach who understands what people do on the offensive and defensive side of the football and knows how to get the most out of them. This is a tough division to win in. The NFC South is very competitive and highly productive, but the fact that we've had so much success, a lot of people must have been on the same page. I just want to come in and add to it.’’
The Panthers believe they have at least two strong candidates in Hurney and Dawson. Rivera is handling football decisions and Becker business decisions while the GM chair is open.
While this is a key time in the evaluation process of the current roster, potential free agents and draft prospects, it doesn’t become crucial to have a GM in place until the NFL combine that begins on February 27.
As Polian, now an analyst for ESPN, said, “Free agency and the combine are the purview of the GM. It is hard to replace him.’’
But for now the Panthers appear content to wait on the NFL to complete its investigation into Hurney, leaving Dawson and the other candidates in limbo.