Carolina Panthers: Six college coaches the team should consider
By Luke Tucker
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has reportedly expressed interest in hiring a head coach from the collegiate ranks.
Following the Carolina Panthers’ loss to the Washington Redskins on December 1st, the Panthers fired long-time head coach Ron Rivera two days later. Carolina became the second team to fire its coach in-season, and missed the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons. Defensive backs coach Perry Fewell took over on an interim basis, and promptly lost each of the four remaining games, although he will get a chance to interview for the permanent job.
The Panthers have already interviewed former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, are meeting with Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy today, and have requested to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Owner David Tepper has been reported to be looking for an offensive-minded coach, and prefers one who is open to utilizing analytics. On top of the candidates already mentioned, Carolina has also been linked to Baylor’s Matt Rhule, as well as other college coaches.
After the Redskins hired officially hired Rivera on New Year’s Day, that leaves three NFL teams currently in the market for a new head coach–four if you count the Dallas Cowboys. Each of those four teams have been rumored to have interest in either a current or former college coach. Perhaps no other offseason in NFL history has featured as much talk surrounding the potential of hiring college coaches at the next level. With that being said, here are six college coaches the Panthers should consider this offseason.