Panthers HC Frank Reich on building his staff: Not just calling up my buddies
If you head over to the official website of the Carolina Panthers and click into the “Coaches” tab, this is what you’ll find . . .
Frank Reich is the ONLY coach listed on the Panthers team website. pic.twitter.com/T4LGSuPbeg
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) January 26, 2023
So unless owner David Tepper has gone off the deep end and is signing Frank Reich to be the entire coaching staff, that page will have to be filled. And according to Reich himself, he’s not going to rush that process.
Reich, in his first interview since being hired as the new head coach of the Panthers, sat down with team reporter Kristen Balboni to give his initial thoughts on where he and his team currently stand. Among the topics they touched upon was his prospective personnel, a group the 61-year-old plans on putting together with much consideration.
“Next on the agenda, is building the staff,” he told Balboni. “Very excited about that. We’re committed to giving our team one of the best staffs in the NFL. Mr. Tepper’s made that clear. ‘Hey, let’s bring in the very best, Frank. Let’s bring in the very best.’ So that’ll be a methodical process. This isn’t just call up your buddies, let’s go to work.”
One of the major strengths of the 2022 team was its staff. The work from numerous coaches—perhaps most notably special teams coordinator Chris Tabor and offensive line coach James Campen—made a considerable impression on the players and the end result.
Reich and the Panthers must also address both coordinator spots. Last year’s interim defensive coordinator Al Holcomb is likely following Steve Wilks out of Charlotte while offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo was a choice by previous head coach Matt Rhule.
As of now, it is unclear if the likes of McAdoo, Tabor, Campen and others will stick on with the switch to Reich. Carolina, additionally, has interviewed Vic Fangio, Marquand Manuel and Kris Richard for their defensive coordinator position.
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