The Carolina Panthers made the decision to relieve head coach Frank Reich of his duties, which was officially announced on Monday morning.
The Panthers are currently enduring an abysmal season with a league-worst record of 1-10, including an unfortunate 0-6 performance on the road. This marks the team’s sixth consecutive losing season since owner David Tepper acquired the franchise for $2.275 billion in 2018.
In his morning presser, Tepper had this to say to the media:
“I met with Coach Reich this morning and informed him that he will not continue as head coach of the Carolina Panthers. I want to thank Frank for his dedication and service, and we wish him well.”
Under Reich’s leadership, the Panthers’ offense struggled, scoring 15 or fewer points for the fifth consecutive week and the seventh time in 11 games. Their rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who was the top pick in the 2023 NFL draft, has the lowest Total QBR in the league and has been sacked 40 times, tied for the fifth-highest number of sacks for a player in his first 10 games (since sack statistics were first recorded in 1963).
Facing this challenging situation, Reich was unapologetic in his response to Sunday’s loss against the Tennessee Titans:
“What are you going to do? You are 1-10. Are you going to feel sorry for yourself? Is there something that is going to magically fix everything? No.”
In the interim, the team has appointed special teams coach Chris Tabor as the interim head coach, while offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will take over play calling responsibilities with assistance from senior assistant Jim Caldwell.
Notably, Frank Reich’s departure adds to a recent trend in the NFL where several head coaches did not complete their first season with their respective teams. Reich, who was previously the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts before being fired in November 2022, had been hired by the Panthers in January to succeed Matt Rhule. During his tenure in Indianapolis, Reich achieved a record of 40-33-1, with a 1-2 postseason record.
Reich has a storied history in the NFL, having suited up for four Super Bowls as a backup QB to Buffalo Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. Reich is most known for having the largest playoff comeback in NFL history (in the ‘93 AFC Championship game, he replaced an injured Kelly, storming back from 35-3 to win in overtime against the Houston Oilers 41-38) & winning a Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2017 season.
He’s also been labeled a “quarterback whisperer” of sorts, having worked with accomplished quarterbacks like Carson Wentz and Philip Rivers during his coaching career.
The former is a bit of a stretch, seeing as Carson Wentz is extra bummy. So, in a way, I suppose making him look playable during Philly’s run to the Super Bowl (before he was injured & Nick Foles took them the distance) has to count for something.
