The NFL has 32 teams, and with that comes the exclusive fraternity of being one of the 32 vitally important NFL head coaches.
However, there is a new opening as the Panthers have let go of head coach Frank Reich after just 11 games. While each of the 32 head coaches has their own unique story, let’s take a look at the Carolina Panthers, their current head coach situation, and the coaching change in the middle of the 2023 season.
Who Is the Head Coach of the Carolina Panthers?
The Panthers’ latest head coach was Frank Reich, but all that changed when he was relieved of his duties on Nov. 27, 2023. Reich is a coaching veteran who was in the middle of his sixth season as an NFL head coach. He began his climb in the coaching ranks 17 years ago as a coaching intern for the Indianapolis Colts in 2006.
The Panthers have named an interim for the time being, with that role going to special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. Tabor will be finishing up the rest of the Panthers’ 2023 campaign as the Panthers will once again be on the hunt for a head coach to run their team.
How Long Has Chris Tabor Been a Coach?
Tabor has never been a head coach before but has an extensive coaching résumé that goes back to 1993. After one year as a coach for Benton High School in Missouri, Tabor jumped to the college ranks and continued to elevate from there on out.
From 1994 to 2007, Tabor had several roles within the college football ranks, including stops at the University of Missouri, Utah State, and Western Michigan.
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2008 is the year Tabor broke into the NFL ranks as an assistant special teams coach for the Chicago Bears. He spent two seasons in the role before becoming the main special teams coordinator in Cleveland with the Browns from 2011 to 2017 before coming back to Chicago in the same role from 2018 to 2021.
Tabor is in his second season as the special teams coordinator for the Panthers, and now, with Reich out in Carolina, he steps up for his biggest role to date.
Who Was the Panthers’ Coach Before Frank Reich?
Before Reich was hired, Carolina had hired former Baylor University head coach Matt Rhule in 2020 to run their team. However, Rhule only lasted a little over two seasons and was eventually replaced by interim head coach Steve Wilks, finishing with a final record of 11-27 during his time.
As mentioned previously, the Panthers hired within when they tasked Wilks with taking over the remainder of the 2022 season. Wilks would finish the year 6-6, and while he was given a chance to interview for the permanent position, the Panthers’ organization ultimately chose Reich to lead the team.
What Was Reich’s Record With Carolina?
Reich finished his tenure with the Panthers with an abysmal 1-10 record. His career head coaching record is 41-43-1 in the regular season and 1-2 in playoff games over his six years as the head guy.
Did Reich Ever Win a Super Bowl?
Yes, Reich has won a Super Bowl as a coach, but it was as an offensive coordinator. In 2018, Reich was the Philadelphia Eagles OC under now-Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson. The Eagles beat the New England Patriots to capture the franchise’s first-ever Lombardi Trophy.
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