The Carolina Panthers finally cut bait on Danny Crossman, but as it turns out, the big fish they were after was already in someone else’s boat.

The Panthers fired their special teams coach Thursday afternoon, but it was a too-late phone call from coach John Fox which might say the most about the process and what they were hoping for.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Fox called legendary special teams coach Bobby April on Wednesday night to see if he was interested in the opening here. But by the time Fox called, April already had agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

April was one of the most sought-after assistants of the off-season, having interviewed with Pittsburgh and San Francisco and drawing interest from Washington. But Philadelphia swooped in quietly to land him, waiting until they had his name on a contract before they fired incumbent special teams coach Ted Daisher on Thursday.

By waiting nearly two weeks after the end of the season to make their move, the Panthers might have cost themselves a shot at April. While there’s no guarantee they could have convinced him to come here, they’d have at least had a chance if they’d have moved sooner.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney didn’t return calls seeking comment Thursday.

With him out of the equation, there’s a dwindling pool of experienced candidates, although most of them have some kind of link to this staff or area.

Tags: carolina panthers, danny crossman, john fox, marty hurney, panthers