The Carolina Panthers fired Frank Reich after 11 games, owner David Tepper announced Monday morning. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will serve as interim coach.
Later, the Panthers also fired quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and running backs coach Duce Staley, a league source said.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 27, 2023
Reich’s firing came two weeks after he took over the play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Thomas Brown — three games after Brown was assigned the responsibility in Week 8. Carolina fell to 1-10 on Sunday in 17 -10 losses to the Tennessee Titans.
Brown will continue calling the offensive plays with senior assistant Jim Caldwell serving as a special adviser, Tepper said.
DEEP
A stadium takeover, a 3-TD loss for the Panthers. Is history about to repeat itself?
At 11 games, Reich’s tenure is the second shortest in NFL history for a head coach who has coached one regular season game. The San Francisco 49ers fired Pete McCulley after a 1-8 start to the 1978 season.
(Two head coaches never made it through the regular season; Bill Belichick resigned as New York Jets coach after one day in 2000, while George Allen was fired by the Los Angeles Rams after two preseason games in 1977.)
The Panthers picked up Reich in January and traded for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in March, selecting Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young. However, under Reich, Young posted a 74.9 passer rating, the worst of the three QBs selected in the first round. The Panthers also rank 30th in the NFL with 265.9 yards per game on offense.
Reich takes over for interim coach Steve Wilks, who was promoted after Carolina fired Matt Rhule following a 1-4 start to the 2022 season. The Panthers have the worst record in the NFL after going 7-10 in 2022.
Carolina traded its 2024 first-round pick to the Chicago Bears in the trade that netted Young.
Reich went 40-33-1 in four-plus seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, reaching the playoffs twice and winning one postseason game. He was fired after a 3-5-1 start to the 2022 season.
The Panthers are the second team to make a coaching change this season, joining the Raiders, who fired Josh McDaniels after eight games.
What was Reich’s downfall?
Tepper was sold on Reich’s offensive credentials and his ability to bring in a big-name staff that included former coaches (Caldwell, Dom Capers) and some up-and-comers. The idea is that Young will have a building full of QB whispers. Except not taken.
The Panthers finished near the bottom of the league offensively, Young struggled and the offense didn’t improve after Reich took the play calling away from Brown. Reich looked defeated after Sunday’s loss at Tennessee, where Tepper dropped an F-bomb and shook his head after leaving the locker room. — Joe Person, Panthers staff writer
DEEP
The Panthers’ anemic offense and 1-10 record led to the only option — firing Frank Reich
Who is Tepper’s target?
Monday’s announcement did not address the future of general manager Scott Fitterer, who is thought to be on shaky ground after failing to give Young enough playmakers. Tepper is expected to once again pursue an offensive-minded coach.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was his top choice last winter before Johnson removed himself from consideration. Tepper will almost certainly run into Johnson and don’t be surprised if he tries to talk to someone like Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh or Belichick.
But Tepper’s history of firing coaches and being hands-on could give proven coaches pause. – Person
Why were McCown and Staley also left out?
Before diving into that question, it’s important to note that Reich’s ability to assemble what should be an all-star staff was a big reason Tepper hired him. Now it’s all blown up 10 months later. Tabor decided to move on from McCown, who was in his first year as an NFL assistant, and Staley, who had worked with Reich in Philadelphia. With Caldwell taking a more active role, Tabor seems to want to streamline the process and have fewer voices in Young’s ear.
As for Staley, he oversees the NFL’s 29th-ranked rushing offense and was involved in the decision to sign former Eagles running back Miles Sanders, who was unproductive in his first season in Carolina. – Person
Required reading
(Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
