Ranking the Five Best Candidates for the Panthers' Head Coaching Job

Who should the Carolina Panthers hire as its next head coach?

Author:
Schuyler Callihan
Jan 15, 2024 8:58 AM EST

In this story:

The search for a new head coach in Carolina is well underway and although the Panthers have published a list of candidates they are currently considering, I put together my own list of who I believe the Panthers should pursue.

Four of the five on my list are expected to interview for the job. The other is one I think they should add to the mix.

5. Ejiro Evero (Carolina Panthers DC)

I know it's hard to believe the answer is on the staff from a team that just went 2-15, but Evero has all the goods. He's creative, innovative, highly intelligent, knows how to develop talent, and puts guys in position to make plays. Carolina finished 4th in total defense, giving up 293.9 yards per game. Six of the top nine defenses are playoff teams. The only reason I don't have him higher is because of the uncertainty with the offensive side of the ball. I'm not sure what the plan would be over there or who he would hire as OC.

4. Mike Macdonald (Baltimore Ravens DC)

Macdonald's defense wreaked havoc all year long and finished at or near the top of the league in several categories. Teams had trouble throwing the ball on them, averaging just 191 yards per game and some of that stemmed from the constant pressure they applied on the QB, recording 3.5 sacks per week.

3. Mike Vrabel (Former Tennessee Titans HC)

Mike Vrabel? Yes, Mike Vrabel. He's a proven winner that had a down year in Tennessee. Carolina needs someone who can create a culture and identity and Vrabel would be able to do exactly that. As far as the on the field stuff is concerned, I believe he could do wonders with this defense. Arthur Smith, his former offensive coordinator in Tennessee, was just fired as the head coach in Atlanta. These two could team up again and help turns things around in Carolina with an offensive approach that caters to the strengths of the current offensive line while also protecting Bryce Young.

2. Bobby Slowik (Houston Texans OC)

Bobby Slowik went from just a name to watch to a top candidate for a handful of jobs thanks to the work he did with C.J. Stroud and the Houston offense in just one year. Houston finished 31st in total offense a year ago and with a rookie quarterback, Slowik moved the unit all the way up to 12th. He comes from the Shanahan coaching tree and was a part of that notorious 2011 Washington coaching staff that featured Kyle Shanahan, Matt LaFleur, Sean McVay, and Mike McDaniel.

1. Ben Johnson (Detroit Lions OC)

Johnson had interest in the Carolina job a year ago but decided to return to Detroit in hopes of making a run for a Super Bowl and to gain more experience as a play-caller. Now, everyone with a head coach opening wants him as their guy and it's easy to see why. He's played a massive role in turning Jared Goff into a legitimate franchise quarterback. This season, Goff threw for 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns while Jahmyr Gibbs came up 55 yards short of the Lions having two 1,000-yard rushers. As the cherry on top, he's a Carolina guy born and raised.