Now What? Carolina Panthers Owner David Tepper Addresses Media Today
Following the abrupt firing of head coach Frank Reich, many Carolina Panthers fans are saying, “Now what?” We may get some answers from David Tepper today.
The Carolina Panthers owner is expected to address the media today, along with interim head coach Chris Tabor (promoted from special teams coordinator).
Also let go yesterday were quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and assistant/running backs coach Duce Staley. Those firings were reportedly a move by Tabor.
The Panthers have a record of 1-10 — the worst in the NFL. Now they are in the market for their fourth head coach in six years (seven if you count all the interim head coaches). It has been a revolving door when it comes to personnel.
The Frank Reich era was supposed to be special. On paper, the Panthers were primed for success. They came into the season with an offensive-minded coach and all-star coaching staff. They had the number one draft pick. But things went sideways fast and Reich became the fourth-shortest tenured coach in the history of the NFL. (Number one was Bill Belichick, who coached the New York Jets for one day.)
David Tepper speaks to the media infrequently, but Panthers fans hope to get an idea of what’s next for the team today.
The path to a new head coach is tricky, thanks to new NFL rules. Panthers officials cannot hold in-person interviews with anyone currently working for another team for nearly two months.
Twitter Reacts To Panthers Firing Frank Reich
I was anything but shocked when the notification came across my phone that the Carolina Panthers fired Frank Reich this morning. Yes, it’s only 11 games into his first season as the head coach. But David Tepper has a short leash when it comes to coaches (though not short enough when it came to Matt Rhule). And Reich, well he’s done literally nothing in his tenure. The offensive-minded head coach had an offense that can only be described as inept. The team seemingly never bought in. And they certainly didn’t rally around the coach.
Frank Reich and David Tepper
Most Panthers fans never wanted Reich to begin with. And he was set up to fail when the fanbase and team so desperately wanted Steve Wilkes to get the permanent job. To so many fans, there was hardly a realistic scenario where Reich did enough. But I think it’s safe to say, he didn’t do enough for anyone. Not only is the team sitting at 1-10 with the worst record in the NFL. They haven’t shown any signs of improvement. And it’s pretty clear that it was the wrong choice.
That being said as I previously alluded he was set up to fail. The Panthers sold their soul to get Bryce Young. Who admittedly doesn’t have a lot of help. But what we gave up to get Young cost us. And Reich was the one who ultimately took the blame first for that. A decision that most likely wasn’t his. He shouldn’t be the last, GM Scott Fitterer should be the next to go.
I’ve read numerous articles today placing the blame for the absolute **** show that the Panthers are, where I also place it- with David Tepper. Unfortunately, that’s the one thing we can’t change. It’s been a rough going for Panthers fans. I’ve honestly lost interest and certainly lost any emotional investment I had in this team. And I hate it. I resent Tepper. I wish he’d never taken over this team. And I wish he’d let the professionals do what they do and not interject himself in the day-to-day. He could learn, but I don’t have any reason to believe he will. Has he learned from his two horrendous coaching choices? I hope so. The city of Charlotte hopes so.
So while we wait to see what the next move is, enjoy Twitter’s reaction to the Panthers firing of Frank Reich. Because misery loves company. And being a Panthers fan since the day David Tepper became the owner? It’s been nothing but miserable.
