The Carolina Panthers have hired former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich as their new head coach.
#Panthers agree to terms with Frank Reich to become the new head coach pic.twitter.com/spUljJKdBz
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 26, 2023
Reich interviewed by them more than two weeks ago. He seemed like a perfect fit for what they are trying to build in Carolina. Reich has been very successful in the past. He was the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles.
He is primarily known for winning a Super Bowl in 2018 with the Eagles. Reich coached Carson Wentz and made him an MVP candidate before he suffered a late-season injury. Backup quarterback Nick Foles led them to Super Bowl victory under Reich’s tutelage.
After the Super Bowl victory, Reich was hired to be the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and was later fired in the 2022-2023 season.
For Reich, the signing represents a return to Carolina, where he spent one season as the team’s quarterback and started the franchise’s 1995 NFL opener.
Reich inherits a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2017, and hasn’t won a postseason game since winning the NFC championship in 2015 with league MVP Cam Newton at quarterback.
The Panthers have been looking for stability at quarterback since Newton’s departure. The Panthers released Baker Mayfield earlier this season and Sam Darnold is an unrestricted free agent. Reich will have a key voice in the future of the team’s quarterback situation.
This signing would mean the Panthers will likely take a quarterback in this year’s draft. However, the Panthers could trade to get the guy they want. Either way, this is a great signing for a team that exceeded expectations.
The Panthers could be poised for success with a new head coach and a new young quarterback. In a weak division, they might even be favorites to win the division according to North Carolina sportsbooks. This franchise is heading in the right direction and starting with a new head coach.
