The Carolina Panthers have fired head coach Frank Reich after 11 short games. What was once unthinkable in the NFL has become routine in recent years as drivers find themselves at the mercy of pushy owners.
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Anyone who thinks this shouldn’t be a trend needs to face reality.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, since the NFL merged with the AFL in 1970, only six coaches have lost their jobs before their first season at the helm was even over. In other words: it is a rather rare phenomenon.
On the other hand, of those six coaches, three have been fired in the last three seasons, Reich this year, Nathaniel Hackett last year with the Broncos and Urban Meyer the previous season with the Jaguars.
Previously, no other coach in the NFL had had the opportunity to serve his first season since Pete McCulley in 1978.
In the case of Meyer and Hackett, defending the records was very difficult. After an illustrious career as a college coach, Meyer repeatedly got into trouble by treating professionals like children.
Hackett was a real comedy in Denver. In Reich’s case, even though the results in Carolina were clearly lacking, he remained a respected, reputable coach who had proven himself in other places where he had passed without missing any steps. Did it become terrible overnight?
Mistake
Frank Reich was supposed to be the offensive guru for young quarterback Bryce Young. Getty Images via AFP
Obviously, some will say that Reich deserves his fate because the first-ever draft pick, quarterback Bryce Young, has been stagnant since the start of his season. Again, if a rookie quarterback doesn’t produce mind-blowing results like CJ Stroud in Houston, it’s the end of the world.
The Panthers have not scored more than 15 points in the last five games. Reich didn’t help himself by playing weathervane. At the start of the season, he was the one calling the offensive plays before taking a step back and handing the job over to the offensive coordinator to then take over that role.
For a coach known for his offensive talent after successful stints with the Chargers, Eagles and Colts (except at the end), it’s true that the Panthers’ offense, which is crumbling at 29th, makes him look bad.
An emotional owner
Panthers owner David Tepper. Getty Images via AFP
He certainly didn’t do everything right, but an organization’s success must start at the top of the pyramid. With that in mind, owner David Tepper, who is known as someone who regularly interferes in football operations, should examine his conscience.
Since he purchased the team in 2018, it has a record of 30 wins and 63 losses, a winning percentage of .323. During this period, only the New York Jets (.301) performed worse.
Tepper already has three coaches who suffered his loss with the Panthers. In the following years he also bought FC Charlotte in the MLS and has already fired two coaches. It almost seems like a sadistic game…
The guy is rich and knows how to count very well, but he obviously makes bad football decisions or demands changes too quickly.
The fact is that, with or without Frank Reich, the Panthers are stuck in an offense devoid of talent and have let their best players like Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore get away in recent years.
Several acquired players, such as receivers DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault as well as tight end Hayden Hurst and running back Miles Sanders, only bring courage to the offense.
What we must remember is that at the rate at which the owner wields the machete to destroy the aspirations of his coaches, the best in the profession will be hesitant to consider the Panthers.
In the end we get what we deserve.
MY PREDICTION FOR THURSDAY