The Carolina Panthers announced on Monday that they have fired head coach Frank Reich amid a dismal NFL season.
The Panthers, with an unfortunate 1-10 record, are now guaranteed their sixth consecutive losing season.
Team owner David Tepper personally delivered the news, 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.”
Panthers fire Frank Reich. https://t.co/BKfZpub0ij
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 27, 2023
With immediate effect, special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will step into the role of interim head coach.
Additionally, Senior assistant Jim Caldwell will act as a special advisor to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who will assume play-calling responsibilities.
Frank Reich, a former NFL player with a 13-season career, played for multiple teams, including the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, and the Carolina Panthers.
Over his career, he amassed 40 touchdowns and 6,075 passing yards before retiring after the 1998 season.
Reich played college football at Maryland and was a third-round pick in the 1985 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Transitioning to coaching after his playing days, Reich held various assistant positions from 2008 to 2017.
Notably, he served as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl LII victory.
Reich then took on the head coaching role for the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 to 2022, leading the team to two playoff appearances.
The decision to part ways with Reich comes at a challenging time for the Panthers, who have struggled to find success on the field.
In a broader context, team owner David Tepper, who purchased the Carolina Panthers for $2.3 billion in 2018, faces the challenge of reshaping the team’s future.
The NFL unanimously approved Tepper’s purchase, following the forced sale by Jerry Richardson, the team’s founder and former owner.
Richardson sold the team after a 2017 Sports Illustrated report detailed allegations of workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and the use of a racial slur.
Since David Tepper acquired the Carolina Panthers for $2.275 billion in 2018, the team has faced a persistent losing streak.
Their record stands at 30-63 (.323) since then, making them the second-worst in the league, trailing only the New York Jets.
The Panthers are currently heading towards their sixth consecutive losing season, with disappointing statistics across various categories.
They rank 30th in total offense, passing yards per game, and points per game in the NFL.
On the defensive side, they allow an average of 15.7 opponent points per game. The team’s overall yardage per game is at 265, and their turnover margin is -7.
Despite winning five NFC South titles, the Panthers have only made the playoffs once since 2017.
