The Carolina Panthers coaching search in 2023 landed on Frank Reich, a hire that received universal praise around the league. Months later, a franchise with an impatient owner could soon start evaluating new Panthers coaching candidates to take over in 2024.
Before Carolina mortgaged its future to acquire quarterback Bryce Young, owner David Tepper signed off on one of the most expensive coaching staffs in the NFL. Reich built a cabinet of bright offensive minds and teachers who could help unlock the Panthers’ offense. Instead, Carolina has been the worst team in the NFL this season and the franchise is quickly running out of patience.
- Frank Reich coaching record: 41-42-1 career, 1-9 with Carolina Panthers
Let’s dive into some of the best Panthers coaching candidates in 2024.
Evaluating top Carolina Panthers coaching candidates
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
In an alternate reality, Ben Johnson is the Carolina Panthers head coach right now. The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator seemed to be Carolina’s top target this offseason, but Johnson committed to Detroit for another reason. If Reich is fired, this is the first call Tepper will make.
Johnson has orchestrated one of the best offenses in the NFL, something view thought was possible from a team with Jared Goff at quarterback and a slot receiver as the top offensive weapon. Yet, entering NFL games today, the Lions rank fifth in Success Rate (46.8 percent), eighth in Expected Points Added per play and Goff has put up better passing numbers than Josh Allen, Dak Prescott and Trevor Lawrence over the last two seasons,
What really makes Johnston a phenomenal coach is his play-calling. Whether it’s creative concepts on a red-zone run play, integrated play-calling that sets up future big plays and the structure of his passing concepts. All of it is done to make the quarterback’s life easer and to strike a balance for the offense. Johnson is the kind of coach who can unlock Bryce Young and fix this offense, even before Carolina adds starting-caliber wide receivers.
