When the cameras are off and the writers put down their notepads, Alex Rodriguez is a tortured soul, haunted by almost super-human talent and pressing thoughts about what everyone else thinks. (After an All Star game that I covered one year, A-Rod vented to one of his friends in Spanish without realizing that some of the reporters waiting for him might know a little Spanish, too.)

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is a high school history teacher who just happens to have a near genius gift for offensive football.

Panthers coach John Fox is a nice guy. When I came to interview with WCNC, Fox was eating dinner at Ruth’s Chris. Ira Cronin introduced me and Fox jumped to his feet to shake my hand and wish me luck. I’ve covered about two head coaches and managers in 16 years who would be willing to do that.

He’s a guy who paid every single one of his dues from junior college to the USFL. A guy who treats people well and who earned every bit of the respect that he commands in the NFL. He also earned the right to run it any way he wants, and now that has to change.

When Kris Jenkins called his teammates’ effort “garbage” and ranted about their lack of heart Sunday, he was pleading for someone to take control of Carolina’s team. Today, Fox had every chance to back Jenkins’ play by admitting his team has serious issues. Instead Fox shied away from contact, content to let “status woe” continue.

Coach Fox turned the wrong corner the wrong way when he told his buddy, Fox network’s Jay Glazer, that Jake Delhomme might need surgery. That’s the exact opposite of what Fox told the men and women who cover his team every day. It’s a professional no-no and one that can change everything about the way the Panthers are covered in Charlotte. The unspoken but understood rule in professional sports is simple with the media: we respect that the coach has to do what’s best for his team as long as the coach respects the job journalists are paid to do. According to Glazer’s report, John Fox crossed that line. We should all watch and see the tone that coverage of the Panthers takes from here on out.

This is exactly what the Panthers and Fox don’t need. This is a coach who already dismisses every media inquiry like his 3-year-old was asking to drive his Mercedes. What!? Why in the world would you waste time and breath with such a question?! Last week, as reporters tried to answer the question everyone in the Carolinas was asking, Fox’s only answer about Jake’s elbow was “day to day.” After he said it the 10th time, Fox smiled and shared a laugh with reporters.

This afternoon, someone asked if we could have an update on Dan Morgan’s status. Fox’s answer lasted one word, “No.” He needs to give himself the same answer when it comes to sticking with Carolina’s “status woe.” It’s time John Fox showed everyone he’s more than just a good guy, he’s the good coach that guided the Panthers to the Super Bowl.