The Carolina Panthers’ decision to fire head coach Frank Reich Monday didn’t surprise anyone who’s been following the team in recent weeks.
Panthers owner David Tepper announced the firing with the standard platitudes (“I want to thank Frank for his dedication and service”) and then said special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will serve as the interim coach.
Really, this might have been the least surprising head coach termination in recent NFL history. Tepper reportedly left the Panthers locker room after Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans shaking his head and shouting “****.”
That led some NFL insiders to speculate Reich might be gone within the day, and that’s what happened.
Reich finishes with a record of 1-10 in his only season in Carolina, but many people checking in on X/Twitter feel he was a scapegoat, and that Tepper himself is a big part of the problem with his hands-on ownership style.
So what’s the point in hiring a GM or Coach if you as the owner are not gonna let them do their job and pick who they want to draft and coach on their roster? David Tepper set Frank Reich and Bryce Young up for failure.Owners need to stay owners,leave football to coaches/players
— 🪣Buckets™️ (@BrendonMcBucket) November 27, 2023
I've said it a few times, but if Ben Johnson leaves and Frank Reich doesn't want time away, I think it's an intriguing fit based on how well he worked with Campbell at joint practices a couple years back and what he accomplished as Philadelphia's OC.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) November 27, 2023
Good lesson for Josh Harris – Don’t be David Tepper. Imagine making a huge trade up to draft a QB 1st overall to pair with a new HC, only to fire that HC in year 1 https://t.co/ClTmGgwjqS
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) November 27, 2023
Crazy they fired their head coach, When the owner should be partly responsible for what he put the team through in the offseason
— Mathew V. Liberto (@The_Suntrip) November 27, 2023
Our organization is a mess but Frank Reich was never going to pull us out of this. His play calling has been inexcusable and is not the right fit for Bryce.
— dane (@yunqqgunna) November 27, 2023
Can you imagine Frank Reich as Bills HC?! How perfect would that be! Beloved former Bills backup QB returns to Buffalo to work with Josh Allen and lead team to SB!
— Sloane Peterson (@saveferris_now) November 27, 2023
They should’ve never hired Frank Reich because they should’ve made Steve Wilks the head coach! We’ve trash since Tepper bought the team..
— Mac (@Mac2zero) November 27, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.