The Carolina Panthers have made the shocking decision to fire head coach Frank Reich after only 11 games into his tenure with the struggling franchise. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks takes over as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 NFL season.
Reich Dismissed Following Awful 1-10 Start
Panthers owner David Tepper dismissed Reich, the day after Carolina suffered its 10th defeat in 11 contests to open Reich’s inaugural campaign. The team’s 1-10 record stands as the worst in the league thus far.
Reports indicate Tepper unleashed expletives towards staff as he exited the locker room following the most recent loss, a 17-10 home defeat against the Tennessee Titans.
Reich was brought in to revive one of the NFL’s most anemic offenses, while also developing rookie quarterback and 2022 first overall draft pick Bryce Young. Instead, the team has continued to spiral under his watch.
Carolina Ranks Near Bottom of NFL in Scoring, Total Yardage
The Panthers offense sits second to last in points per game (14.7) and total yardage (287.3). Both figures also represent a decline from the previous season under former offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo.
Making matters worse, Carolina has failed to score more than 15 points in a game since entering its Week 13 bye. This stretch includes being held to three points at home against the San Francisco 49ers in Reich’s second ever contest with the team.
The beleaguered offensive line has seen Young taken down 40 times already, fourth most among NFL quarterbacks. Heavy pressure has hindered his development in a so far disappointing rookie campaign. He has yet to pass for 250 yards in a game and thrown nearly as many interceptions (8) as touchdowns (9).
Carolina Defense Keeping Games Respectable
While certainly not world beaters, the Panthers defense has managed to keep most games relatively close in spite of the impotent offense. They rank 16th in points allowed (22.9) and 14th in total yards (339.5).
The margin of defeat has been eight points or less in half of the team’s 10 losses. This includes one possession losses to the Falcons (37-34 OT), Bengals (42-21), and Vikings (28-25).
Tepper Showing Little Patience in NFL Leadership Role
Nonetheless, Tepper remains unsatisfied with middling results and his itchy trigger finger has already claimed several coaching casualties.
Reich represents the third head coach Tepper has fired mid-season since purchasing the franchise in 2018 for a record $2.275 billion dollars.
He dismissed inaugural coach Ron Rivera 11 games into the 2018 season. High priced replacement Matt Rhule then lasted just 38 games before his Week 5 termination in 2022.
Including interim stints by Perry Fewell and now Steve Wilks, Reich becomes the 7th head coach to come and go under Tepper in five tumultuous years.
The hands-on owner has grand visions of conference championships and Super Bowl parades. But his impatience with losing has thus far backfired, leaving the Panthers mired in chaos and year-to-year uncertainty.
Reich’s Previous Success Fails to Carry Over With Carolina Crashing to NFL Basement
Reich arrived with a sterling reputation from his offensive coordinator days, having helped ignite championship attacks on both the college and pro levels.
He rose up the coaching ranks working wonders with quarterback Carson Wentz at North Dakota State, helping the Bison capture an FCS trio of national titles from 2011-2013. His jump to the NFL saw regiments under Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers post top five production.
Most impressive were his two seasons in Philadelphia. Working alongside head coach Doug Pederson, Reich’s creative aggressiveness saw the 2017 Eagles capture Super Bowl glory behind emerging star Nick Foles.
However that magic never surfaced with the Panthers. Instead, Reich’s vaunted schemes resulted in arguably the worst statistical offense the franchise has ever fielded.
Over his 11 games at the helm, Carolina managed just 17 offensive touchdowns and a paltry 287 yards per game. Both figures rank dead last since the 2011 expansion season.
GM Scott Fitterer also shares blame, having neglected the offensive line position in both the draft and free agency. The decline of returning starters coupled with ineffective newcomers has crippled the entire offense.
What Next for Panthers Leadership After Seventh Coaching Change Since 2018
For the remaining six games, Steve Wilks takes the reins for a second straight year as interim head coach. In 2022, he led an energized squad to a 6-6 second half record following the midseason dismissal of Matt Rhule.
His first decision was replacing assistant coaches closely aligned with Reich in quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and running backs coach Duce Staley. Their roles had key implications on the stalled development of Bryce Young. Wilks will look to shake up stagnation on that side of the ball.
On the longer term horizon, David Tepper has scheduled a Tuesday press conference to address plans moving forward. This upcoming offseason now marks the third time he’ll search for what he hopes proves a stable, winning solution at head coach.
Mired in another rebuilding phase, the franchise shows little sign of competing for a playoff spot let alone serious contention. Facing a full teardown and overhaul yet again, Tepper continues gambling that his impatience just might someday be rewarded.
