Reich’s tenure in Carolina was short-lived.
After hiring former Colts head coach Frank Reich in January 2023, Carolina ended a coaching search in which ownership mainly conducted interviews with offensive candidates. Those interviewed included former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, current Colts head coach Shane Steichen, former Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, and interim head coach Steve Wilks.
Whom is Carolina looking to interview and pursue as a coach?
1. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
In the most recent coaching search, Carolina conducted an interview with Johnson, 37. He spent twelve seasons in the NFL with the Dolphins and Lions. Johnson gained notoriety following a stellar 2022 season that also happened to coincide with quarterback Jared Goff performing at a higher level. This season, the Lions offence has carried the team to an 8-3 record, and his CV has just gotten stronger. His efforts with Goff will not go ignored as the Panthers search for a quarterback who can maximise the potential of their first-round pick, Bryce Young.
2. Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron
After three seasons as Sean McVay’s passing game coordinator, Waldron, 44, is currently in his third season as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. Two Super Bowl titles were won by him during his Patriots tenure. The quarterback from Seattle, Geno Smith, is credited with saying, “They wrote me off, I ain’t write back,” and Waldron is the creator of the offensive scheme that has given the former second-round pick new life. He is a creative coach with avant-garde play ideas.
3. Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
In NFL circles, neither McVay nor coaches with experience under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan are more in style. Slowik, 36, was a member of the now-famous Washington coaching staff that also featured Shanahan, McVay, former Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Apart from his remarkable network, Slowik has invigorated a Texans offensive group that has taken the NFL by surprise. His collaboration with C.J. Stroud is a plus as he moves forward with the interview process.
Bob Slowik, his father, was the defensive coordinator for the Bears, Browns, Packers, and Broncos during his 22-year NFL career.
4. Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald
Prior to being appointed as Michigan’s defensive coordinator by Jim Harbaugh in 2021, Macdonald coached for seven seasons in the Baltimore organisation. The 36-year-old made an impression during his one and only season with the Wolverines. John Harbaugh brought him back to the Ravens as a result of his efforts in Ann Arbour. Longtime defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was let go by Baltimore after the 2021 season, and Macdonald assumed the position in 2022. The admiration for Macdonald has grown, and the Baltimore defence has not missed a beat.
When it comes to defensive DVOA, which gauges effectiveness and total performance, the Ravens rank second.
5. Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo
The majority of people think that Mayo, 37, has received guarantees that he will succeed Bill Belichick when the time comes. In 2019, after playing for eight seasons under Belichick, Mayo was brought on as the inside linebackers coach. The Virginia native, who won the Super Bowl, is renowned for giving his team perseverance and toughness.
The employment of a Belichick disciple has not always resulted in success; but, Mike Vrabel of the Titans is an exception.
6. Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore
A year ago, Moore, 35, was interviewed as a part of Carolina’s search. He played for six years, moving to Dallas and Detroit. In 2018, Jerry Jones appointed him as the quarterbacks coach. He was appointed offensive coordinator the next year. The franchise decided to take action after he served in that capacity for four seasons, and the Chargers signed him to fill the same position. Los Angeles’ offensive DVOA ranks sixth. in line with FTNFantasy. The previous season, they came in fifteenth.
7. Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka
The Panthers had also had interviews with Kafka, 36, the previous year. New York’s offensive woes this season have taken some of the lustre off of them. He received a lot of accolades for his work with Daniel Jones in Year 1. For seven years, Kafka has been a league coach. Andy Reid, the head coach of Kansas City for his first five years, also served as his head coach in Philadelphia when the Eagles took the quarterback from Northwestern in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draught.
