Panthers owner David Tepper this morning fired coach Frank Reich after just 11 games, marking the “third full-time head coach to be fired by Tepper since taking over as owner in 2018,” according to Mike Kaye of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor “will serve as interim head coach” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER 11/27). THE ATHLETIC’s Joseph Person writes Reich’s firing represents a “colossal miss” by Tepper, whose “hands-on style and quick-trigger history of canning coaches and executives demand a thorough self-examination before he botches another hire.” The Panthers are 30-63 “since Tepper bought the team” -- a .323 winning percentage that “ranks ahead of only the Jets (.301) during that span.” The lack of stability in the franchise is a “problem that extends beyond the three coaches Tepper has fired (and the two he axed from his MLS team).” Besides the millions Tepper “will offer the next coach,” he “might have trouble convincing anyone to work for him” (THE ATHLETIC, 11/27).
THE BOILING POINT: Person in a sperate piece wrote considering Tepper’s track record, it was “hard to see” how Reich would make it through his first season as Tepper’s frustration had “seemingly reached a boiling point.” When exiting the visitors’ locker room at Nissan Stadium following a 17-10 defeat to the Titans, Tepper “took several strides, shook his head and yelled, ‘F---!’” (THE ATHLETIC, 11/26). NFL Network’s Peter Schrager said to “see him get fired this short in the season, of course, is shocking.” Schrager: “In a lot of ways, Carolina is ripping the Band-Aid off now and getting their work done so they can see what’s going to be attractive to them by the end of the season.” Schrager said the Panthers are saying “this is not a product worthy that is worthy for our fans” and “someone needs to take the blame” (“Good Morning Football,” NFL Network, 11/27).
IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S ME: PRO FOOTBALL TALK’s Mike Florio wrote, “It’s Tepper’s way.” Florio noted Tepper fired Ron Rivera and also “hired, then fired during his third season,” Matt Rhule.” Tepper’s MLS team, Charlotte FC, has played only two seasons and the owner has “fired two head coaches -- including one who just took the team to the postseason.” Florio wrote at some point, it is “not them, it’s him.” And, at some point, “no football (or soccer) coach with options will opt to work for Tepper.” Tepper “would be wise to loosen his grip, trust his people, and create an environment that will be viewed as attractive for coaches” -- and “not dysfunctional and radioactive.” Florio: “No one will want that job” (NBCSPORTS.com, 11/26). NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt said, “The draw for the next coach, the appeal is, ‘I’m going to show up, I’m going to sign a huge contract and then get fired, and then I get paid for free. I don’t have to work.’” NFL Network’s Jason McCourty said as a player in that locker room “you start to think it’s an organization thing” and the players think “how much longer is my contract (and) how do I get out of here” (“Good Morning Football,” NFL Network, 11/27).
JUST KEEP POUNDING: In Charlotte, Scott Fowler noted the Panthers went winless in November and in those four November games, they scored 13, 13, 10 and 10 points -- a “losing formula in the NFL if there ever was one.” It is a “formula to put your fans to sleep as well -- far better to lose games 41-34 than 17-10.” Fowler: “At least you entertain people and sell tickets and merchandise with the former outcome.” Since Tepper bought the Panthers in the summer of 2018, Carolina has had “six straight losing seasons, five head coaches (including interim head coaches) and is 30-63 overall.” Fowler: “It has been, to put it mildly, a massive mess” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/26).
Frank Reich's tenure as the coach of the Panthers lasted just 11 games and marks the third full-time head coach to be fired since 2018Getty Images
