In a decisive move reflecting the team's dismal performance this season, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has terminated head coach Frank Reich and several staff members. The sweeping changes come on the heels of a 1-10 start, the latest setback being a 17-10 defeat to the Tennessee Titans—a game that provoked a fiery reaction from Tepper in the locker room.
Reich's tenure with the Panthers was marred by anemic offensive showings, culminating in the team not surpassing 15 points in five of their last six outings. Their offense has been particularly lackluster, managing only 10 points in each of their past two games.
The shakeup didn't end with Reich; assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley, along with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, were also shown the door. In a statement to The Charlotte Observer, Reich expressed his deep disappointment, acknowledging the pain of falling short of expectations for everyone involved—from the players and coaching staff to the fans.
Reich's record with the Panthers closes at a disheartening 1-10, the worst in the league, which includes a winless 0-6 record on the road. His dismissal marks a dubious NFL milestone: since the 1970 merger, no head coach has been fired in consecutive seasons—Reich faced a similar fate with the Indianapolis Colts last year after starting 3-5-1.
In the interim, the Panthers have appointed special teams coordinator Chris Tabor as the acting head coach. To bolster the offensive strategy, senior assistant Jim Caldwell will offer guidance to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who will resume play-calling responsibilities after Reich's departure.
Since acquiring the Panthers in 2018 for $2.275 billion, Tepper has now parted ways with three head coaches mid-season, having previously dismissed Ron Rivera and Matt Rhule. This pattern of in-season dismissals is becoming increasingly common in the NFL, with ESPN Stats & Information research highlighting that six head coaches since the merger have failed to finish their first season, three of which occurred in the last three years alone.
The Panthers' struggles are set to extend their streak of losing seasons to six, underlining the challenges the franchise has faced under Tepper's ownership. With a record of 30-63 (.323), the team's performance is second-worst in the NFL, ahead of only the New York Jets. Sunday's performance further entrenched their lowly status, ranking them 30th in total offense, 29th in both rushing and scoring, and 30th in passing yards per game.
Rookie Quarterback Under Scrutiny
Reich and McCown were also tasked with the development of Bryce Young, the rookie quarterback selected first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Panthers had high hopes for Young, trading away two first-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears to secure his talents.
However, Young's debut season has been fraught with challenges. He currently sits at 29th in the NFL for Total QBR, with a rating of 32.0. His stats reflect the uphill battle he's faced: completing 216 out of 350 passes for 1,877 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 74.9. Additionally, Young has been sacked 40 times, tying him for the fifth-highest number of sacks taken by a player in their first 10 games since sack records began in 1963.
The Panthers' future now hinges on how they navigate the remainder of the season under Tabor's stewardship and whether they can turn around a franchise that has struggled to find its footing in recent years. The mid-season coaching change is a clear signal from Tepper that mediocrity is unacceptable, but it remains to be seen if this move will spur a reversal of fortunes for the beleaguered Panthers.