Panthers owner David Tepper: ‘We’re gonna self-reflect’

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper pledged to improve the team's on-field product, starting with hiring a fourth permanent head coach in six years since buying the franchise.

A day after firing his third full-time head coach since acquiring the Carolina Panthers in 2018, owner David Tepper staged a press conference Tuesday at Bank of America Stadium to publicly explain the state of the NFL franchise.

About 14 minutes later, Tepper darted off the stage without answering an important question: After dismissing coach Frank Reich after 11 games, what is the fate of general manager Scott Fitterer?

Tepper didn’t respond, disappearing into the entrance to the Panthers’ locker room.

For the time he was on stage, however, Tepper discussed topics such as evaluating his hiring approach, patience and support of rookie quarterback Bryce Young.

In Tepper’s six seasons as owner, the Panthers have compiled a 30-63 record, the NFL‘s second-worst mark during that span.

Should fans be excited about the direction of the 1-10 Panthers? During their last home game, a 33-10 Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the visitors’ followers made up about half of those in attendance.

“Look, things are constantly evolving, and they’ll continue to evolve,” Tepper said. “Trying to make things better is what you always try to do. Obviously, that record is not good enough.

“There’s no hiding it. It is what it is. We’re gonna self-reflect and make it better.”

Tepper: ‘I do have patience’

Since 2018, Tepper has fired Ron Rivera (2019), Perry Fewell (interim 2019), Matt Rhule (2022), Steve Wilks (interim 2022) and Reich. The hedge fund specialist was asked if he would re-evaluate his process of hiring the next coach.

It didn’t sound like he was open to seeking out job headhunters to help with the decision, which likely will not come until January.

Special teams coach Chris Tabor will serve as interim coach for the final six games, starting Sunday when the Panthers travel to NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7), who have dropped two straight and six out of seven.  

Considering he’s already shuffled through five coaches, Tepper has not displayed much patience as the Panthers’ owner. To deflect the criticism, he pointed to his business career.
"In other aspects of my life we have people for 20, 30 years that work for me,” Tepper said. “Nobody ever leaves me.

“I do have patience. My reputation away from this game is one for extreme patience. There’s no reason why that doesn’t come here too, it does. Now, that patience comes with good performance and things that you want to see – progress being made in different aspects.”

That includes developing rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the 2023 top draft pick Tepper continues to back, despite a season of regression.

‘Everything that’s wrong here ultimately is my fault’

Since the Panthers drafted Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, reports have surfaced that Reich preferred C.J. Stroud, who went No. 2 overall to the Houston Texans.

The statistical disparity between the two has been well documented in the past month. Stroud, who has compiled the league's second-most passing yards (3,266), likely has already sealed the Rookie of the Year honor. Young, meanwhile, ranks 31st with a 74.9 passer rating.

While Reich toed the company line since the moment Young was introduced, did Reich recover from not getting his QB?

Tepper said the decision was “unanimous.”

“On all those decisions, whether it’s the head coach, whether it’s Bryce, I don’t really vote on those decisions until the last piece,” Tepper said. “So those decisions are made by the football people.

“Now, look, everything that’s right and everything that’s wrong here ultimately is my fault. I have the final say. In the case of Bryce, I believe it was a unanimous decision in the coaches and the scouts, very strong opinions at the time.

“As far as Bryce Young is concerned, I cannot say this, for myself and I think everybody in this building would share this sentiment, we are totally confident in that pick.”

But what about Fitterer’s job status?

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