HC Candidate List

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, Bear Hands said:

A random thought about Dorsey—(not CAR specific)

He’s not being talked about much but a funny connection he does have is his old colleague and college coach in Chud.

Wonder if he’d be calling BC for a buy out if he lands a gig. Unsure if he’d really be able to pull many BUF coaches with him to a new spot.

He could call up Scott Turner since Rivera canned him.

[Bear Hands]

2 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

He could call up Scott Turner since Rivera canned him.

I don’t even think Norv would want him if he still coached haha. For me, unsure if Scott is OC capable from everything I’ve seen. 

[ENC Pantherfan]

After seeing this Phins/Bills game, I don't want Ken Dorsey NO MO

[Prowler2k18]

10 minutes ago, ENC Pantherfan said:

After seeing this Phins/Bills game, I don't want Ken Dorsey NO MO

Dorsey is not ready for HC IMO. This has been a good game but Allen is taking way too many hits on these long developing pass plays. And they’ve almost completely abandoned the running game.

[Bear Hands]

Kafka flexing so far but is a bit too happy with the D Jones runs

[Icege]

6 hours ago, kass said:

@Icege (I think I tagged the right person) added that new rules require 1 minority candidate to be interviewed regarding coordinator roles. 

So if they find their HC he could quickly assemble his staff.

Other have mentioned connections with Fitterer, Morgan and Dorsey. 

To add, in May 2020 the NFL also made it so that teams were not allowed to block assistants from interviewing for coordinator positions.

So if Wilks does end up being retained, he can also retain Holcomb as the team will be in compliance with NFL rules as they'll have interviewed external candidates. Likely a mixture of staying in compliance as well as doing due diligence.

[Mr. Scot]

Sorry, Harbaugh fans.

[Wolfcop]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Sorry, Harbaugh fans.

Probably for the best. He doesn’t seem to excel in the relationship department. 

[Mr. Scot]

From The 33rd Team...

The list (ordered by best fit)

1) Ben Johnson
2) Mike Kafka
3) Shane Steichen
4) Sean Payton
5) Steve Wilks
6) Jim Caldwell
7) Ken Dorsey
Ejiro Evero
9) Kellen Moore 
10) Frank Reich

Kinda surprised to see Reich ranked last.

Relevant writeups...

1) Ben Johnson, Lions Offensive Coordinator

Ben Johnson is reportedly the frontrunner for the Panthers’ head coaching job, and for good reason. In his first season as a full-time play-caller, Johnson turned Detroit’s offense into a well-oiled machine and nearly helped the team make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

The Lions finished top five in nearly every offensive metric, while Jared Goff posted his best statistical season in years. Johnson consistently found ways to scheme Amon-Ra St. Brown open, and he used Detroit’s excellent run-blocking offensive line to create a dynamic rushing attack.

Johnson survived multiple head coaching changes during his stops with the Lions and the Dolphins. That speaks to his ability as a coach, but also to his presence around the office. Clearly, players and other coaches like working with Johnson, and his personable nature will serve him well as a head coach.

...

2) Mike Kafka, Giants Offensive Coordinator

No one expected the Giants to make much noise in 2022. But Big Blue won nine games to claim a Wild Card berth, then knocked out the No. 3 seed Vikings in the first round of the postseason.

As such, it’s no surprise that New York’s staff members are garnering consideration for head coaching jobs, and that begins with Mike Kafka. First-year Giants head coach Brian Daboll trusted Kafka — who he’d never worked with previously — to call the team’s offensive plays this season. The 35-year-old responded by helping Daniel Jones produce the best campaign of his career despite a lack of talent at receiver and along the offensive line.

The Panthers arguably have better players than the Giants at nearly every position except quarterback. Carolina could feel secure with Kafka leading their QB search, and they’d know he’d be able to get the most out of the talent on their roster.

...

3) Shane Steichen, Eagles Offensive Coordinator

The Panthers seem likely to hire an offensive-minded coach, and Shane Steichen is next in a long list of offensive coordinators Carolina will meet with. Steichen, Justin Herbert’s coordinator during his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, helped build a malleable offense with the Eagles while guiding Jalen Hurts to an MVP-caliber season.

Like Johnson and Kafka, Steichen tailors his game plans week-by-week, focusing on exploiting opponents’ weaknesses rather than sticking to one system. However, it’s fair to note that Steichen benefited from coaching far more talent-laden offenses than either the Lions or Giants coordinators.

In addition to Hurts, Philadelphia has the NFL’s best offensive line and dynamic players at every skill position. Steichen would have to get used to working with less-than-perfect conditions in Carolina, something he hasn’t necessarily had to do with the Eagles.

...

4) Sean Payton, Former Saints Head Coach

Sean Payton is the most accomplished head coach on the 2023 circuit, and nearly every club would be lucky to hire him. With a .631 career winning percentage and a Super Bowl trophy under his belt, Payton is a future Hall of Famer, and it’s no surprise that he’s generated interest from four of the five teams searching for a new head coach.

However, whichever team hires Payton will have to work out a trade with the Saints, who still control his contractual rights. That price is reportedly a first-round pick and more, and New Orleans will only grant interview permission to clubs comfortable with that acquisition cost.

Given that the Panthers play in the same division as the Saints, New Orleans might mark up Payton’s price even further. At that point, it might not be the best idea for Carolina to sacrifice too much draft capital, especially as they continue to search for a franchise quarterback. Owner David Tepper can afford any salary that Payton asks for, but the draft picks may be a bridge too far.

...

5) Steve Wilks, Panthers Interim Head Coach

If the Panthers’ players were running the search, Steve Wilks would have already shed the interim label and become Carolina’s next head coach. Veterans like Shaq Thomspon and Derrick Brown have publicly shown their support for Wilks, who guided the Panthers to a 6-6 record following Rhule’s firing and nearly led the club to the postseason.

Wilks is well-respected in the locker room, and he was probably unfairly fired by the Cardinals at his previous head coaching stop. The Panthers kept playing hard even when their season was on life support, and Wilks undoubtedly played a key role in turning around the franchise’s season outlook.

...

10) Frank Reich, Former Colts Head Coach

Frank Reich never won the AFC South during his tenure as the Colts’ head coach, but he did post two 10-win seasons. Indy went just 1-7 after firing Reich. It’s clear he wasn’t the problem for the Colts, but he was part of the problem.

It’s perhaps telling that the Panthers are the only team that’s expressed serious interest in Reich as a head coaching candidate. It would behoove Reich to spend at least one season as an offensive coordinator and generate new ideas before re-emerging on the 2024 head coaching circuit.

...

The rest can be seen at the link.

[carpanfan96]

How would anyone feel about giving up draft picks for a coach and then said coach getting a 5 year deal worth oh say 90m.  

[TheCasillas]

4 hours ago, carpanfan96 said:

How would anyone feel about giving up draft picks for a coach and then said coach getting a 5 year deal worth oh say 90m.  

I don’t think it matters how much we pay any coach. It doesn’t impact the team in anyway. It comes straight from the owners pocket.

[philit99]

11 minutes ago, TheCasillas said:

I don’t think it matters how much we pay any coach. It doesn’t impact the team in anyway. It comes straight from the owners pocket.

One thing is for sure, Tepper will not hand out 7 year contracts with prospective coaches moving forward.

[rebelrouser]

12 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

From The 33rd Team...

The list (ordered by best fit)

1) Ben Johnson
2) Mike Kafka
3) Shane Steichen
4) Sean Payton
5) Steve Wilks
6) Jim Caldwell
7) Ken Dorsey
Ejiro Evero
9) Kellen Moore 
10) Frank Reich

Kinda surprised to see Reich ranked last.

Relevant writeups...

1) Ben Johnson, Lions Offensive Coordinator

Ben Johnson is reportedly the frontrunner for the Panthers’ head coaching job, and for good reason. In his first season as a full-time play-caller, Johnson turned Detroit’s offense into a well-oiled machine and nearly helped the team make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

The Lions finished top five in nearly every offensive metric, while Jared Goff posted his best statistical season in years. Johnson consistently found ways to scheme Amon-Ra St. Brown open, and he used Detroit’s excellent run-blocking offensive line to create a dynamic rushing attack.

Johnson survived multiple head coaching changes during his stops with the Lions and the Dolphins. That speaks to his ability as a coach, but also to his presence around the office. Clearly, players and other coaches like working with Johnson, and his personable nature will serve him well as a head coach.

...

2) Mike Kafka, Giants Offensive Coordinator

No one expected the Giants to make much noise in 2022. But Big Blue won nine games to claim a Wild Card berth, then knocked out the No. 3 seed Vikings in the first round of the postseason.

As such, it’s no surprise that New York’s staff members are garnering consideration for head coaching jobs, and that begins with Mike Kafka. First-year Giants head coach Brian Daboll trusted Kafka — who he’d never worked with previously — to call the team’s offensive plays this season. The 35-year-old responded by helping Daniel Jones produce the best campaign of his career despite a lack of talent at receiver and along the offensive line.

The Panthers arguably have better players than the Giants at nearly every position except quarterback. Carolina could feel secure with Kafka leading their QB search, and they’d know he’d be able to get the most out of the talent on their roster.

...

3) Shane Steichen, Eagles Offensive Coordinator

The Panthers seem likely to hire an offensive-minded coach, and Shane Steichen is next in a long list of offensive coordinators Carolina will meet with. Steichen, Justin Herbert’s coordinator during his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, helped build a malleable offense with the Eagles while guiding Jalen Hurts to an MVP-caliber season.

Like Johnson and Kafka, Steichen tailors his game plans week-by-week, focusing on exploiting opponents’ weaknesses rather than sticking to one system. However, it’s fair to note that Steichen benefited from coaching far more talent-laden offenses than either the Lions or Giants coordinators.

In addition to Hurts, Philadelphia has the NFL’s best offensive line and dynamic players at every skill position. Steichen would have to get used to working with less-than-perfect conditions in Carolina, something he hasn’t necessarily had to do with the Eagles.

...

4) Sean Payton, Former Saints Head Coach

Sean Payton is the most accomplished head coach on the 2023 circuit, and nearly every club would be lucky to hire him. With a .631 career winning percentage and a Super Bowl trophy under his belt, Payton is a future Hall of Famer, and it’s no surprise that he’s generated interest from four of the five teams searching for a new head coach.

However, whichever team hires Payton will have to work out a trade with the Saints, who still control his contractual rights. That price is reportedly a first-round pick and more, and New Orleans will only grant interview permission to clubs comfortable with that acquisition cost.

Given that the Panthers play in the same division as the Saints, New Orleans might mark up Payton’s price even further. At that point, it might not be the best idea for Carolina to sacrifice too much draft capital, especially as they continue to search for a franchise quarterback. Owner David Tepper can afford any salary that Payton asks for, but the draft picks may be a bridge too far.

...

5) Steve Wilks, Panthers Interim Head Coach

If the Panthers’ players were running the search, Steve Wilks would have already shed the interim label and become Carolina’s next head coach. Veterans like Shaq Thomspon and Derrick Brown have publicly shown their support for Wilks, who guided the Panthers to a 6-6 record following Rhule’s firing and nearly led the club to the postseason.

Wilks is well-respected in the locker room, and he was probably unfairly fired by the Cardinals at his previous head coaching stop. The Panthers kept playing hard even when their season was on life support, and Wilks undoubtedly played a key role in turning around the franchise’s season outlook.

...

10) Frank Reich, Former Colts Head Coach

Frank Reich never won the AFC South during his tenure as the Colts’ head coach, but he did post two 10-win seasons. Indy went just 1-7 after firing Reich. It’s clear he wasn’t the problem for the Colts, but he was part of the problem.

It’s perhaps telling that the Panthers are the only team that’s expressed serious interest in Reich as a head coaching candidate. It would behoove Reich to spend at least one season as an offensive coordinator and generate new ideas before re-emerging on the 2024 head coaching circuit.

...

The rest can be seen at the link.

Wilkes at 5 and Reich at 10 is laughable. Maybe that is being pushed so he won't sue us when he doesn't get the job. Steichen, Johnson, or Kafka...let's get it done and move on. No way cheap ass Tepper who has a fake turf field and tried to rip off a small South Carolina town is going to invest the money and contract length that Payton would demand. 

[KatsAzz]

15 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

Sorry, Harbaugh fans.

The Charlotte Observer confirmed Harbaugh and Tepper had a conversation about the Panthers’ head-coaching vacancy. Since then, Harbaugh released a statement via the University of Michigan’s Twitter that he anticipates returning to Ann Arbor.

The Panthers have not yet conducted a formal interview with Harbaugh. That could change. If it doesn’t then Tepper was not interested in handing over full control of the organization to another college coach like he did with Rhule.

The best organizations find and then successfully maintain alignment between ownership, the front office and the head coach. The next Panthers head coach must align with Tepper’s vision and Fitterer’s plan while serving as a CEO capable of authentic leadership and winning football education and strategy.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article271073677.html#storylink=cpy