Frank Reich’s stint in Carolina only spanned 11 games.
On Monday, following a 1-10 start to the 2023 season, The Panthers dismissed their head coach. This news was reported by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, according to sources knowledgeable about the situation.
Chris Tabor, the special teams coordinator, steps in as the interim head coach, according to Rapoport.
The club later verified the shift, stating that senior assistant Jim Caldwell will take on the role of special advisor to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who will continue with play-calling.
On Monday, David Tepper, the owner of the Carolina Panthers, announced that Coach Reich will no longer continue as the team’s head coach. He expressed his gratitude towards Frank for his dedication and service and wished him well. Tepper also announced that Chris Tabor, the Special Teams Coordinator, will be stepping in as the interim head coach effective immediately. In addition, Senior Assistant Jim Caldwell will serve as a special advisor to Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown, who will now be responsible for play calling duties.
Pelissero subsequently revealed that the Panthers fired quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and assistant head coach/RBs Duce Staley. The decision to let go of McCown and Staley was taken by Tabor and Caldwell, according to Pelissero.
“There’s a heart-pounding disappointment in not hitting the marks that we needed to hit to keep this going and try to get it turned around,” Reich said in an interview with The Charlotte Observer on Monday. “It hurts me for the guys, the team, the coaches and the fans.”
It’s been a rough first season for Reich in Carolina as the Panthers showed little signs of growth. Things boiled over after several in-game mismanagement issues in Sunday’s 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
The issues prompted Tepper to part ways with Reich after just 11 games.
Reich expressed to The Observe his total admiration for Mr. Tepper, revealing a personal respect and regard for him. However, he pointed out that the NFL is a merit-based organization, not one that operates on unconditional affection. He acknowledged that Mr. Tepper will naturally have particular expectations that need to be met professionally. Despite this, Reich holds no resentment and considers his personal relationship with Mr. Tepper as one of the highlights of his brief tenure.
Reich further stated that this is likely to be ‘the final chapter’ of his NFL career.
Reich’s offense has been a slog, bogged down by poor blocking, a non-existent run game, and a receiver crew lacking in playmakers. Worst of all were the struggles of No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. The quarterback has displayed poor habits amid the losing and rarely has flashed playmaking ability. The coach handing off play-calling to Brown and then taking them back didn’t help the inconsistent offense.
In 2023, the Panthers rank among the bottom four in scoring, with an average of 15.7 points per game (29th), and in total offense, with 265.9 yards per game (30th). Under Reich’s leadership, the team averages 92.6 rushing yards per game (29th) and has scored only three rushing touchdowns, tying for the fewest.
In 2023, Carolina ranks 31st in the NFL with a point margin of -119. They have scored 15 or less points in seven games, tying for the second-highest number in the NFL.
Given the investment the Panthers made in Young, including giving up a 2024 first-round pick, which currently sits No. 1 overall, seeing progress from the young signal-caller is paramount in the final six games. Ownership clearly didn’t believe the development would come with Reich running things. Now it’s on Brown and Caldwell to change the narrative down the stretch.
Reich, let go by the Indianapolis Colts after Week 9, 2022, has become the third head coach in NFL history to be fired in consecutive seasons. He follows in the footsteps of Chip Kelly, who was fired from the Eagles and 49ers, and Ray Rhodes, who was dismissed from the Eagles and Packers.
