NFL world reacts to Panthers hiring Frank Reich as team’s next head coach

Ellis Williams
·4 min read
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As the Panthers’ second round of interviews began earlier this week for its vacant head-coaching position, two candidates emerged as favorites.

The Panthers cut the search down to Steve Wilks, the team’s interim head coach who rallied Carolina to a 6-6 mark during his 12-week tenure. And Frank Reich, the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts who was fired in November.

On Thursday, owner David Tepper and the Panthers selected the latter by naming Reich its sixth full-time head coach in franchise history.

The Panthers are the first of five head-coaching vacancies to be filled. Rather then trade draft picks for Sean Payton or wait for coveted Eagles offensive Shane Steichen, Carolina prioritized finding an offensive mind with head-coaching experience to lead Carolina.

Reich is exactly that. Here are some reactions on the Panthers’ hire.

Panthers have their head coach but what about QB?

Former general manager Mike Tannenbaum asked the question everyone is asking. Which quarterback are the Panthers going to select in the first round?

Carolina holds the No. 9 pick in the 2023 draft but has plenty of capital to move up if general manager Scott Fitterer, Tepper, and Reich want to trade for blue-chip prospects Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud.

Former players react to Reich’s hiring

Chargers backup quarterback Chase Daniel shared his reaction to the Panthers hiring Reich via the 33rd Team. Following his initial tweet, Daniel detailed why he thinks Reich is a home-run hire.

“David Tepper and crew got this right. (Reich) experience with quarterbacks and his experience in Carolina,” Daniel said. “His leadership is second to none... He’s going to put together an all-star staff.”

Reich coached Daniel when both were with the Eagles in 2016.

Former NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith voiced his support of Reich. Smith won a ring with Reich in Philadelphia. Smith believes having an offensive-minded head coach is best for Carolina.

Former NFL player Chris Hairston played for Reich for two seasons with the San Diego Chargers. Reich was the offensive coordinator and Hairston played offensive tackle.

Hairston shared multiple tweets supporting both Reich and Wilks. But he said he knows Reich will be good for the Panthers organization.

The above tweet provides insight into what former players believe Reich will bring to Carolina. Hairston specifically mentioned receiver DJ Moore. He said Moore would get a lot more targets and he will be used a lot more creatively than he ever has.

Legal firm representing Brian Flores and Steve Wilks weighs in

Wigdor Law is representing Steve Wilks, Ray Horton and Brian Flores in the class-action case against the NFL for “systemic racial discrimination in the hiring, retention and termination of NFL coaches and executives.”

Support for Wilks continues

NFL reporter Mike Jones wonders what else Wilks would have had to do to land the Panthers’ job.

Wilks is expected to be a hot candidate as a defensive coordinator in the league as the hiring process continues this offseason.