The Carolina Panthers decided to part ways with Frank
Reich after a challenging start to the 2023 season, terminating his head
coaching tenure after just 11 games. The decision, prompted by a disappointing
1-10 record, was reported by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom
Pelissero, citing sources familiar with the situation.
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| Coach Frank Reich gets fired after 1-10 start |
Taking over as the interim head coach is Chris Tabor,
the special teams coordinator, according to Rapoport. The team later confirmed
the move, announcing that senior assistant Jim Caldwell would assume the role
of special advisor to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who will now handle
play-calling duties.
Owner David Tepper expressed the decision in a
statement, stating, "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. Effective
immediately, Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor will serve as our interim
head coach. Senior Assistant Jim Caldwell will be a special advisor to
Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown, who will take over play calling
duties."
In addition to Reich, the Panthers also parted ways
with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and assistant head coach/RBs Duce Staley,
as reported by Pelissero. Tabor and Caldwell were reported to have made the
decision to let go of McCown and Staley.
Reich expressed his disappointment in an interview
with The Charlotte Observer, acknowledging the team's failure to meet
expectations: "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.
It hurts me for the guys, the team, the coaches, and the fans."
Reich's first season in Carolina proved challenging,
marked by a lack of progress and several in-game mismanagement issues. The
tipping point came after a 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
"I want to convey that I have nothing but
positive thoughts about Mr. Tepper," Reich shared with The Observer.
"On a personal level, I saw a side of him that I deeply respect and care
about. But the NFL is a meritocracy. It's not unconditional love. I understand
from a professional standpoint Mr. Tepper is going to have certain standards
that he expects to have met. I have no hard feelings, and my personal
relationship with him was actually a real highlight of this short time."
Reich acknowledged that this chapter likely marks the
end of his time in the NFL.
The struggles extended to the performance on the
field, with Reich's offense facing challenges like poor blocking, a weak run
game, and a receiver corps lacking playmakers. The woes were compounded by the
difficulties of No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, who showcased poor habits amid
the losing streak.
Under Reich's leadership, the Panthers ranked near the
bottom in scoring (15.7; 29th) and total offense (265.9; 30th) in 2023. The
rushing game struggled, averaging 92.6 yards per game (29th), with just three
rushing touchdowns, tying for the fewest in the league. Carolina found itself
with a -119 point margin (31st in the NFL) and scored 15 or fewer points in
seven games, tying for the second-most in the league.
Considering the significant investment in Young,
including a 2024 first-round pick, currently positioned at No. 1 overall, the
Panthers are eager to see progress from the young quarterback in the final six
games. However, ownership evidently believed that Reich was not the key to
unlocking Young's development. Now, the responsibility falls on Brown and
Caldwell to reshape the narrative for the team in the remaining stretch of the
season.
Reich, who previously faced dismissal from the
Indianapolis Colts after Week 9 in 2022, now becomes the third head coach in
NFL history to be fired in consecutive seasons, joining the ranks of Chip Kelly
(Eagles and 49ers) and Ray Rhodes (Eagles and Packers).
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