Frank Reich fired by the Panthers, Chris Tabor takes over

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Frank Reich was fired Monday by the Carolina Panthers 11 games into his first season with the NFL team. The Panthers have the league's worst record at 1-10.

After wrapping up his post-game press conference Sunday, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper exited with a choice phrase of frustration.

Moments after the offensively-challenged Panthers dropped a winnable 17-10 decision to the host Tennessee Titans, Tepper’s impatience was on full display. On Monday, Tepper acted and relieved coach Frank Reich of his responsibilities, 11 games into his first season at the helm.

"I met with Coach Reich this morning and informed him that he will not continue as head coach of the Carolina Panthers,” Tepper said in a statement. “I want to thank Frank for his dedication and service, and we wish him well.

“Effective immediately, Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor will serve as our interim head coach. Senior Assistant Jim Caldwell will be a special advisor to Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown, who will take over play calling duties."

Tabor reportedly addressed the team after news broke Monday morning. He will lead the Panthers when they next travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Caldwell is a former head coach in Detroit and Indianapolis as well as on the collegiate level at Wake Forest.

At 1-10 and directing one of the NFL’s most feeble offenses, not much went right for Reich during his short tenure. The Panthers’ record is the 32-team NFL’s worst. With injuries decimating the offensive line, Carolina is 29th in points scored (173), 30th in points allowed (292) and 31st in offensive yards (2,925).

The development of rookie quarterback Bryce Young was also a reported issue in Reich’s struggles. The top overall draft pick has been sacked 40 times in 10 starts and failed to reach the 200-passing yard mark for the fourth game in a row Sunday against Tennessee.

Young, who missed Week 3 with an ankle injury, has compiled a 74.7 passer rating and averages 187 yards passing per game. Without much of a vertical passing game, Young has nine touchdown passes and eight interceptions, including three pick-sixes over his past four starts.

Reich was hired on Jan. 26 after he was dismissed midway through the 2022 season by the Indianapolis Colts. His 11-game stay marks the shortest NFL coaching stint over the last 45 years, according to Sports Illustrated.
Tabor has one game of NFL acting coach experience. He replaced Matt Nagy for one game in 2021 after the Chicago Bears coach was diagnosed with COVID-19. The Bears lost to the San Francisco 49ers 33-22.

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