Panthers request to interview Bengals OC Brian Callahan for head coaching vacancy

The Carolina Panthers have requested to interview Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan for their head coaching position, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. Callahan has spent the five years in Cincinnati and was part of the team’s run to the Super Bowl in the 2021 season.

The coach has 14 years of experience in the NFL and worked in a variety of roles for the Broncos, Lions and Raiders before joining the Bengals in 2019. He was an offensive assistant with Denver in 2015 when Peyton Manning led the team to a Super Bowl victory.

Prior to making the jump to the NFL, Callahan was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Junipero Serra (CA) High School. He entered the coaching ranks in 2006 at his alma mater of UCLA, where he was a walk-on quarterback (2002-05) and served as the team’s holder on PATs. He spent one season as a graduate assistant with the Bruins in 2006 and then worked with the receivers in 2007.

Callahan is the son of former Oakland Raiders coach Bill Callahan. His father directed the team to an 11-5 record and Super Bowl appearance in 2002 before going just 4-12 the following season.

The Bengals offense found great success under Brian Callahan in 2021 and 2022, winning back-to-back AFC North division titles and making AFC Championship appearances both years. Cincinnati ranked seventh in the NFL in points per game and helped Joe Burrow earn his first Pro Bowl appearance while setting single-season franchise records for completions (414) and touchdowns (35).

The Carolina Panthers are coming off of an NFL-worst 2-15 record this past season. They fired first-year coach Frank Reich after a 1-10 start to the year as Chris Tabor finished out the season as interim head coach.

Now the search to find the next Panthers head coach is officially on, and Brian Callahan is one of the early candidates.

Panthers part ways with GM Scott Fitterer

The Carolina Panthers parted ways with general manager Scott Fitterer, according to a release from the team.

The Panthers finished the season 2-15 after a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. After picking No. 1 overall last year and selecting quarterback Bryce Young, nothing went right this season.

Tepper released a statement Monday morning.

“As we move forward with the new direction for our franchise, I have made the decision that Scott Fitterer will no longer serve as our general manager,” Panthers owner David Tepper said. “I appreciate Scott’s efforts and wish the best for him and his family.”