Eight Possible Candidates for the Panthers Head Coaching Job
This feels familiar.
For the second time in as many seasons, the Carolina Panthers will be looking to hire a new head coach. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will take over in the interim, but come January, David Tepper will hire the Panthers' seventh head coach in their history. Here are a couple of options to replace Frank Reich.
In-House Options
Jim Caldwell
Ejiro Evero
Thomas Brown
The list begins with a few highly regarded coaches already in Charlotte.
Jim Caldwell has a proven track record as a head coach (much like Frank Reich), and would be a similar hire to Reich. Caldwell interviewed for the vacant job last offseason and he would be a natural name to promote if the front office is looking for a veteran leader.
On the other hand, Ejiro Evero and Thomas Brown would be splashier hires.
Both Panthers coordinators have interviewed for head coaching jobs and are on lists put out by every publication when it comes to young coaches that are next up.
Evero has coordinated a solid defense that has rotated players across all levels like a merry-go-round. That side of the ball has kept games close when the offense has faltered. The Carolina point differential and points allowed stats are abysmal, but they're handicapped by a listless offense.
Brown, the current offensive coordinator and interim play-caller following Reich's departure, would be a controversial head coaching hire in 2024. Coming into 2023, Brown was lauded for his offensive-mind after spending time under the tutelage of Sean McVay. His offense in Carolina has struggled mightily, but it's hard to blame a coordinator when the talent isn't there.
All three of these options are on the table, but fans may be more in favor of a splashy outside name.
Offensive-minded Options
Ben Johnson - Lions Offensive Coordinator
Brian Johnson - Eagles Offensive Coordinator
Bobby Slowik - Texans Offensive Coordinator
These three coordinators are going to be at the top of every coaching-needy team's list. Each of them are coordinating offenses that are in the top ten in the league according to EPA/play. Ben Johnson is a Carolina native that interviewed for the job last season. If Tepper is looking for a head coach to mold the future of rookie Bryce Young's career, it wouldn't be a shock for him to hire one of these three options.
Defensive-minded Options
Dan Quinn - Cowboys Defensive Coordinator
Brian Flores - Vikings Defensive Coordinator
Two re-tread options, but two solid options as well. The Cowboys have been the best defense in the league according to EPA/play since Quinn started coordinating the defense in 2021. They ranked 23rd in 2020. Quinn flamed out in Atlanta, but not before he took the Falcons to the Super Bowl in 2017.
Flores is a controversial figure in league circles, but the man knows ball. The Minnesota defense is top ten in the league under Flores' watch after being well below-average in 2022.
