The Carolina Panthers officially have a head coaching vacancy to fill following the firing of Frank Reich Monday.
While a number of names have been thrown around as candidates, including Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and perhaps Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, Joe Person of The Athletic is reporting that former NFL tight end and current FOX color analyst Greg Olsen would have interest in the job if he were approached.
Olsen, who retired from the NFL after the 2020 season, doesn’t have any NFL coaching experience. He has, however, remained immersed in the game as a member of FOX‘s No. 1 announce team. Olsen also spent nine seasons with the Panthers. He signed a one-day contract in March 2021 to retire as a member of the team. Olsen hauled in 524 receptions for 6,463 yards and 39 touchdowns during his time in Carolina. He is third on the Panthers’ all-time receiving list behind Steve Smith Sr. and Muhsin Muhammad.
Making the move to hire Olsen would certainly be an unorthodox one, yet similar to one which took place last season. After Reich was fired midseason by the Indianapolis Colts, ESPN analyst and former NFL center Jeff Saturday was named the interim head coach. The Colts went 1-7 under Saturday.
Adding more to the story is Olsen’s uncertain future at FOX Sports. Olsen is expected to be replaced as the top color analyst in 2024 by Tom Brady. Brady reportedly signed a 10-year, $375 million contract with the network last year.
Panthers make wholesale changes amid 1-10 start to season
Whether it’s Olsen or someone else, the next head coach of the Panthers will be the fourth in the short history of David Tepper’s ownership tenure. Since 2018, Tepper has fired Ron Rivera (December 2019), Matt Rhule (October 2022) and now Reich. Tepper also opted to go in a different direction after interim head coach Steve Wilks went 6-6 and won four of his last six games after Rhule’s firing last season.
The signs were there that Tepper was potentially done with Reich after Sunday’s loss. Tepper was heard yelling, ‘F---,’ as he exited the team’s locker room after the game.
According to Steve Reed of the Associated Press, Tepper will be on the hook for an estimated $9 million per season over the next three seasons after relieving Reich of his duties as head coach. Reich initially signed a four-year contract which runs through 2026. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will serve as the interim head coach. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will become the team’s play caller, with senior assistant Jim Caldwell serving as his special adviser. Tabor wasted no time making changes to the staff, letting go of quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley.
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