Panthers fire Frank Reich after 1-10 start to first season in Carolina

Frank Reich’s stint in Carolina was only 11 games long.

On Monday, the Panthers terminated their head coach following a 1-10 start to the 2023 season, according to sources cited by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Chris Tabor, the special teams coordinator, steps in as the interim head coach, according to Rapoport.

The club later announced that senior assistant Jim Caldwell will serve as a special advisor to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who will take back play-calling duties. They confirmed this move later.

Owner David Tepper confirmed on Monday that Coach Reich will no longer be serving as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. He expressed his gratitude towards Frank for his dedication and wished him well. He 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 be advising Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown, who will be assuming play calling duties.

Pelissero subsequently reported that the Panthers had also terminated quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and assistant head coach/RBs Duce Staley. According to Pelissero, the decision to part ways with McCown and Staley was taken by Tabor and Caldwell.

“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 problems were significant enough for Tepper to part ways with Reich after just 11 games.

Reich expressed to The Observe his solely positive sentiments towards Mr. Tepper. He mentioned that he appreciates and respects Mr. Tepper on a personal level, having witnessed a side of him that he truly values. However, he acknowledged that the NFL operates on the principle of meritocracy and not unconditional love. Reich understands that, professionally, Mr. Tepper has certain expectations that must be met. Despite this, Reich holds no resentment and considers his personal relationship with Mr. Tepper a significant highlight of their brief time together.

Reich also noted 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 are ranked in the bottom four for scoring (29th with 15.7 points) and total offense (30th with 265.9 yards). Under Reich’s leadership, the team has an average of 92.6 rushing yards per game (29th) and has scored three rushing touchdowns, which is tied for the fewest.

In 2023, Carolina ranks 31st in the NFL with a point margin of -119. They have scored 15 points or less in seven games, making them tied for the second highest in this category 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.

The Indianapolis Colts let go of Reich after Week 9, 2022, making him the third head coach in NFL history to be fired in consecutive seasons. The other two are Chip Kelly, who was dismissed by the Eagles and then the 49ers, and Ray Rhodes, who was sacked by the Eagles and later by the Packers.