The head coaching picture for the Carolina Panthers is coming into focus as we approach championship weekend. Ian Rapoport said today on the NFL Network that Frank Reich is “emerging as a really strong candidate” for the Panthers job.
Reich is getting a second interview with the Panthers this week. Interim head coach Steve Wilks also got a second interview with the Panthers on Wednesday. Carolina also asked Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to stay in town today to continue discussions.
So, it appears that Reich — who was the Panthers first ever quarterback — along with Wilks and Moore, have emerged as the front runners for the Panthers’ job.
Multiple reports this morning indicated that the Panthers would look for experience in their next head coach. That signals that while Moore is getting a second look, Reich and Wilks are ahead of him at this point.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson tweeted this morning that the Panthers and Frank Reich have had conversations about potential staff scenarios. According to Anderson, Panthers ownership expressed interest in an experienced coach with an offensive background. Now it seems like that may be the direction they ultimately head in, with Reich getting a second head coaching gig.
Reich was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 until this season, when he was fired by Indianapolis mid-season. Reich posted three winning seasons in Indianapolis, including a pair of 10-win seasons.
Before being the head coach in Indianapolis, Reich was the offensive coordinator of the Eagles when they won the Super Bowl in 2017.