Three potential head coaches for the Panthers, including Ejiro Evero, are Frank Reich’s successors.

It’s difficult to envision a situation in which the Carolina Panthers’ 2023 season has gone worse and Frank Reich has consequently lost his newly acquired position. According to reports, Reich’s seat was “on fire,” not just hot. After just 11 games, Reich’s tenure as their head coach came to an end on Monday, so the patience finally ran out.

Reich has now been let go for the second year in a row. The coach reclaimed playcalling duties in an attempt to improve the offense, something owner David Tepper wanted to see, but it’s possible that this made things worse. The Panthers require a new head coach right now. They have this person to turn to.

 

Leading head coach prospects to take Frank Reich’s place

1) Ben Johnson

If Ben Johnson had chosen to leave the Detroit Lions last season, he could have and would have been a strong candidate in Carolina. He didn’t, but it’s difficult to turn down a head coaching position twice, let alone once. He’s obviously the best man for Carolina, and he deserves a lot of attention. The Panthers should give Jared Goff’s potential with Young and company serious consideration. Before Johnson turned him around, he was all but lost.

 

2) Frank Smith

Although Mike McDaniel is the team’s manager, Frank Smith, the offensive coordinator, will command a lot of attention. It would be comparable to Shane Steichen’s departure from the Philadelphia Eagles. Nick Sirianni is running this offense, but with a backup quarterback playing in the playoffs in Indianapolis, Steichen obviously knows what he’s doing. Smith, who has qualities in common with Tua Tagovailoa, could work wonders with Young, coming from possibly the most exciting offensive coach in the league.

 

3) Ejiro Evero

The Panthers’ offseason moves were all incorrect except for adding Ejiro Evero. Based on his outstanding work with a lackluster and injured defense in Carolina, he is all but certain to be named head coach in 2024. Making him head coach would be the only way to ensure he stays in Charlotte. That may not help Bryce Young and company much, but they may find themselves in a similar situation to the Houston Texans, who signed defensive-minded player Demeco Ryans to play alongside CJ Stroud.