Panthers reportedly pushed HC candidates to keep two assistants
While the Carolina Panthers were eager to move on from former head coach Matt Rhule, they reportedly wanted to hold onto a couple of assistant coaches from Rhule’s staff.
In a recent column for The Athletic, Panthers beat reporter Joseph Person reported that Panthers owner David Tepper and general manager Scott Fitterer suggested that whoever succeeded Rhule should retain two of his assistants.
“Tepper and Fitterer encouraged head-coaching candidates to retain offensive line coach James Campen and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, according to league sources familiar with the discussions,” Person wrote.
Carolina had the No. 15-ranked offensive line in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing just 36 sacks and paving the way for a running game that averaged 130 yards per game — 10th-best in the NFL.
The Panthers' special teams unit was among the best in the NFL. They made a league-high 94.3 percent of their field goals with the fifth-most makes (33). Carolina also ranked fourth in net punting (45.6 yards per punt), ninth in gross punting (48.5 yards per punt) and 10th in kick return average (24.1).
The Panthers' official website confirmed that Reich, who was named the sixth head coach of the Panthers on Thursday, beating out several candidates including Kellen Moore, Sean Payton, Mike Kafka, Ken Dorsey, Ejiro Evero, Shane Steichen, Steve Wilks and Jim Caldwell, is beginning interviews for his staff.
“We’re committed to giving our team one of the best staffs in the NFL,” Reich said. “Mr. Tepper’s made that clear, that, ‘Hey, let’s bring in the very best, Frank. …You’ve got to vet everybody out. You’ve got to make sure you not only have the right person but that you have the right chemistry within the group. So, get the coordinators on board as fast as we can because I always want the coordinators involved in hiring the staff on their side of the ball. I think that’s important.”
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