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The Carolina Panthers are in want of a brand new head coach, and their search is already effectively underway. The Panthers fired Matt Rhule after Week 5, and whereas interim head coach Steve Wilks almost took Carolina to the postseason, the staff isn’t turning issues over to Wilks with out conducting a full search.
After placing out on Rhule in 2020, proprietor David Tepper and Co. are casting a large internet this time round. They’ve interviewed — or requested permission to interview — eight candidates to this point, probably the most of any staff with a head teaching emptiness.
Newest on the Carolina Panthers Head Coach Search
If one factor is obvious based mostly on the Panthers’ preliminary checklist of candidates, it’s this — they’re searching for an offensive head coach. Practically each candidate Carolina has expressed curiosity in comes from the offensive facet of the ball, with Wilks the lone exception. Right here’s who the Panthers have focused of their head teaching search.
Jim Caldwell, Former Colts and Lions Head Coach
Replace: Caldwell interviewed with Carolina on Jan. 9.
Though Jim Caldwell has a 62-50 file as an NFL head coach, he hasn’t landed one other high job since being fired by the Lions in 2017, a incontrovertible fact that Brian Flores noted in his racial discrimination in opposition to the NFL.
Since leaving Detroit, Caldwell has interviewed for head teaching positions with the Packers, Jets, Browns, Jaguars, and Bears. This 12 months, he’s additionally met with the Broncos as a part of their search course of.
Caldwell hasn’t been on an NFL workers since 2019 when he briefly served because the Dolphins’ assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach earlier than taking a health-related go away of absence. At 67 years outdated, Caldwell doesn’t mesh with the present development of youthful head coaches, however it’s laborious to say he doesn’t deserve one other shot someplace.
Ken Dorsey, Payments Offensive Coordinator
Replace: Dorsey will interview with Carolina on Jan. 21.
There’s a wholesome relationship between the Payments and the Panthers, as Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and basic supervisor Brandon Beane each labored in Carolina earlier than taking their present jobs. Provided that Payments-Panthers connection, it solely is sensible that Carolina is curious about Buffalo offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.
Dorsey, who received a university title at Miami earlier than serving as an NFL backup for six seasons, started his teaching profession in Carolina, serving because the Panthers’ quarterbacks coach from 2013-17. He joined the Payments in the identical function in 2019, obtained promoted to passing sport coordinator in 2021, then changed Brian Daboll because the membership’s offensive play-caller in 2022.
Buffalo’s offense has remained among the many league’s greatest underneath Dorsey — by expected points added per play, the Payments have truly improved with Dorsey calling the pictures.
Ejiro Evero, Broncos Defensive Coordinator
Replace: Evero interviewed with Denver on Jan. 18.
The Broncos’ 2022 marketing campaign didn’t go as deliberate, however defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s work just isn’t going unnoticed. Denver’s protection completed third in yards per play allowed and was top-10 in effectivity, and Evero’s dealing with of his unit throughout a disastrous season might earn him a head teaching place this offseason.
To date, Evero has been linked to 4 of the 5 groups with head teaching vacancies — the Panthers, Colts, Texans, and incumbent Broncos. In the meantime, Denver didn’t enable the Falcons to interview Evero for his or her defensive coordinator function as a result of they may need to dangle onto him even when they rent a distinct head coach.
For extra, try our Ejiro Evero NFL Head Coach Profile.
Ben Johnson, Lions Offensive Coordinator
Replace: Johnson opted to stick with the Lions and eliminated his title from all head teaching searches.
One of many hottest names on the 2022 circuit, Ben Johnson can be anticipated to interview with Houston and Indianapolis within the coming days. It’s no shock that Johnson is attracting curiosity across the league after he led the Lions’ offense to 26.6 factors per sport (fifth-best within the NFL) and 5.9 yards per play (tied for fourth-best).
Like Detroit’s offense, the Panthers’ offense would provide Johnson an above-average offensive line and thrilling weapons. Quarterback is clearly a priority in Carolina, however Johnson simply helped Jared Goff put up a 61.2 QBR, the second-best mark of his profession and the fifth-best ranking within the league.
Jim Harbaugh, College of Michigan Head Coach
Replace: It’s unclear if Harbaugh was ever a critical candidate in Carolina, however he’s introduced he’s staying at Michigan.
Whereas Jim Harbaugh clearly has designs on returning to the NFL, it’s unlikely to be with the Panthers. Harbaugh did have a dialog with Panthers proprietor David Tepper, however it was Harbaugh who initiated the decision, in accordance with Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
That dialogue was “by no means characterised as a job interview,” and Carolina doesn’t have an interview scheduled with the Michigan head coach. Per Jones, the Panthers have been involved about Harbaugh’s nine-hour interview with the Vikings in 2021. Minnesota declined to supply him their head teaching job after that assembly, by which Harbaugh’s conduct was characterised as “odd.”
Harbaugh, dealing with allegations of NCAA guidelines violations at Michigan, has already interviewed with the Broncos, and he’s been talked about as a candidate for the Colts.
For extra, try the pros and cons of hiring Jim Harbaugh.
Mike Kafka, Giants Offensive Coordinator
Replace: Kafka will interview with Carolina on Jan. 22.
Given the expertise degree that Mike Kafka and Brian Daboll have been coping with at broad receiver and alongside the offensive line, it’s unbelievable that the Giants managed to complete tenth in offensive DVOA. Underneath Kafka, Saquon Barkley posted his greatest season since his rookie 12 months, whereas Daniel Jones completed seventh in QBR and saved his turnovers in test.
It’s telling that Daboll turned over play-calling duties to Kafka — Patrick Mahomes’ former quarterbacks coach in Kansas Metropolis — of their first 12 months collectively. Daboll and Kafka had by no means labored collectively, but the brand new Giants head coach felt comfy giving that duty to the 35-year-old Kafka.
For extra, try our Mike Kafka NFL Head Coach Profile.
Jerod Mayo, Inside Linebackers Coach
Replace: Mayo declined an interview with Carolina and is engaged on a brand new contract to stay in New England.
A former first-round choose, Jerod Mayo joined the Patriots as their inside linebackers coach 4 years after asserting his retirement in 2015. Invoice Belichick had reportedly tried to get Mayo on his workers for years, and the 36-year-old is now an integral a part of a protection that ranked third in EPA per play and fifth in success price.
Even if he doesn’t maintain a coordinator title, Mayo has generated vital curiosity across the league. Final 12 months, he interviewed for the Broncos’ and Raiders’ head teaching vacancies.
Even when he doesn’t land a head teaching place throughout this cycle, Mayo might nonetheless go away New England for greener pastures. He’s certainly one of 4 identified candidates for the Browns’ defensive coordinator job, together with Jim Schwartz, Brian Flores, and Sean Desai.
For extra, try our Jerod Mayo NFL Head Coach Profile.
Kellen Moore, Cowboys Offensive Coordinator
Replace: Carolina has requested an interview with Moore, however no date has been set.
At 34, Kellen Moore is the youngest coach on Carolina’s checklist, however he’s already earned loads of expertise as a head coach interviewee. Final 12 months, Moore met with the Broncos, Jaguars, Dolphins, and Vikings however didn’t land a job.
This season, Moore’s most excellent work arguably got here in Weeks 2-6, when the Cowboys have been compelled to show to backup quarterback Cooper Rush following Dak Prescott’s thumb harm. Dallas went 4-1 in Rush’s 4 begins, and he posted a 60.0 QBR — higher than Dak’s mark on the season.
For extra, try our Kellen Moore NFL Head Coach Profile.
Sean Payton, Former Saints Head Coach
Replace: Payton will interview with Carolina on Jan. 22.
The Panthers are getting in on the Sean Payton sweepstakes, as they have been granted permission on Sunday to interview the ex-Saints coach. Payton has now been in contact with 4 of the 5 groups with a head teaching emptiness, with the Colts because the lone outlier.
Any staff that lands Payton will doubtless should sacrifice a first-round choose and extra to accumulate his rights from New Orleans. That acquisition value might show much more pricy for Carolina, on condition that they’re in the identical division because the Saints.
For extra, try our Sean Payton NFL Head Coach Profile.
Frank Reich, Former Colts Head Coach
Replace: Reich interviewed with Carolina on Jan. 11.
The Colts fired Frank Reich after he posted a 3-5-1 file to start out the season. However on condition that Indy went 1-7 to shut the 12 months, Reich clearly wasn’t the problem. Whereas he by no means received the AFC South because the Colts’ head coach, Reich did handle two 10-win seasons, every of which culminated in a playoff berth.
Reich was additionally initially talked about as a candidate for the Broncos, however he could no longer be in the running in Denver. Even when Reich doesn’t seize a head teaching job throughout this cycle, his work as a play-caller with the Colts, Eagles, and Chargers will doubtless allow him to land an offensive coordinator place.
DeMeco Ryans, 49ers Defensive Coordinator
Replace: Ryans interviewed with Carolina on Jan. 19.
DeMeco Ryans is one other addition to the Panthers’ checklist of candidates, and so they requested permission to interview him on Jan. 12. Carolina noticed Ryans’ protection up shut and private in Week 5 when the 49ers beat the Panthers 37-15. San Francisco sacked Baker Mayfield and P.J. Walker six instances and held Carolina to 1 landing and three area targets.
Ryans, 38, can be a candidate in Denver and Houston, which is unsurprising given the 49ers’ defensive efficiency in 2022. No protection has allowed fewer factors than San Francisco (277), and the 49ers tied for second in yards per play allowed (5.0). Simply 25.7% of SF’s opponents’ drives finish with an offensive rating, the most effective mark within the NFL.
For extra, try our DeMeco Ryans NFL Head Coach Profile.
Shane Steichen, Eagles Offensive Coordinator
Replace: Steichen interviewed with Carolina on Jan. 14.
Shane Steichen labored underneath Reich with the Chargers and finally grew to become LA’s offensive coordinator, guiding Justin Herbert to an Offensive Rookie of the 12 months marketing campaign in 2020. Since becoming a member of the Eagles, he’s helmed an offense that may exploit any defensive weak spot whereas serving to flip Jalen Hurts into an MVP candidate.
Steichen was anticipated to be among the many hottest head teaching candidates out there this offseason, and that’s held true to this point. Along with the Panthers, he’s additionally anticipated to satisfy with the Colts and Texans relating to their vacancies.
For extra, try our Shane Steichen NFL Head Coach Profile.
Steve Wilks, Panthers Interim Head Coach
Replace: Wilks interviewed with Carolina on Jan. 9.
If the Panthers left their head teaching resolution as much as their gamers, Wilks would have already got the job. Veterans like Shaq Thompson and Derrick Brown have voiced their assist for Wilks, who guided Carolina to a 6-6 file after changing Rhule.
The Panthers saved taking part in for Wilks down the stretch, which is a testomony to his management skill within the locker room. Carolina was left for lifeless at 1-5, however they’d a shot on the playoffs coming into their Week 17 matchup in opposition to the Buccaneers.
Wilks has been an NFL head coach earlier than. He was dismissed — in all probability unfairly — after posting a 3-13 file in his solely season with the Josh Rosen-led Cardinals. With a significantly better displaying in his second alternative, Wilks has positioned himself squarely in competition for the Panthers’ head teaching job.
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