(Updated)

The Carolina Panthers are serious about their interest in Perry Fewell.

Carolina general manager Marty Hurney and team president Danny Morrison flew to New York and talked to the Giants defensive coordinator on Thursday according to the Charlotte Observer.

The Observer described Fewell as a “serious candidate” for the Panthers job and not just a “Rooney Rule” mandatory interview.

Fewell, who is African American, isn’t the only minority candidate up for the Panthers job. San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who is of Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage, also fits the “Rooney Rule” requirement in which teams must interview a minority candidate for any head coaching vacancy.

Carolina is also considering Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and San Francisco defensive coordinator Greg Manusky to replace John Fox, who was the Giants defensive coordinator before taking the Panthers job in 2002.

Fewell also is a candidate for the Broncos, 49ers and Browns jobs. The Broncos say he will interview with them on Sunday.

The enthusiastic and energetic Fewell had a great rapport with his defensive unit in his first season with the Giants. Carolina is home for Fewell, though. He was born in Gastonia and went to South Point High School in Belmont, N.C. Fewell lettered as a defensive back at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C. He also served as a grad assistant at North Carolina.