The Athletic names the top coaching hires for this cycle

[Mr. Scot]

From the article...

Despite stale results for much of the past five seasons, the league is liking the Panthers’ future setup.

The head-coaching hiring cycle wrapped up last week, with five heavily coveted candidates filling the vacancies, but one move stood out above the rest in the minds of high-ranking members around the NFL.

...

The Athletic polled nine people — a combination of general managers, personnel executives, head coaches and assistant coaches who were granted anonymity so they could speak freely — with a simple question: Who was your favorite head-coaching hire?

Panthers head coach Frank Reich received 5.5 votes to edge out DeMeco Ryans (3.5 votes) of the Texans. (One executive split his vote between the two.) Sean Payton (Broncos), Shane Steichen (Colts) and Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals) did not receive any votes. No one from the coaches’ current or most recent organizations was polled to avoid personal biases.

Considering how well-regarded the coaches are, it looks like the Panthers did a good job with their hiring process.

...

The Colts fired Reich in November despite a 40-33-1 record midway through his fifth season. Though it might have been time for the sides to part ways, owner Jim Irsay’s decision to replace Reich with Jeff Saturday was controversial at the time, and the voters certainly backed Reich with his next stop in Charlotte.

“I like Frank a lot,” an assistant coach said. “He needs time to get it going, but I think he is a good hire. For what they need, he will do a very good job.”

The Panthers regressed during former head coach Matt Rhule’s two-plus seasons. He had control over the 53-man roster and was falling out of favor within the organization, according to sources.

...

Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer are expected to take a much more collaborative approach with personnel decisions.

“I think Frank is a great match with Fitterer,” an executive said.

Reich isn’t the only reason for optimism in Carolina. After the trade deadline in November, the Panthers were the only team to draw unanimous approval from a six-person panel for the moves of running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Robbie Anderson that netted a half-dozen NFL Draft picks.

...

“I honestly like Frank Reich as a coach,” a second assistant coach said. “I do think he’s good, and he hired a good staff. Maybe a Doug Pederson 2.0?”

The staff matters a great deal. Reich has already landed defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, senior assistant Jim Caldwell and senior defensive assistant Dom Capers, so they’re loaded with leaders and bright minds.

“(Reich has) head-coaching experience and will bring stability to an organization in need of it,” a third assistant coach said.

Edited February 19, 2023 by Mr. Scot

[Kentucky Panther]

Haven’t heard much from the Wilks fanboys lately. Glad they are finally on board with this hire and the amazing staff he’s put together 

Edited February 19, 2023 by Kentucky Panther

[joemac]

I think we have to be in the running for the best coaching staff, top to bottom, in the entire league. We’ve got 4 guys now who had HC interviews this season. That’s nuts. 

[top dawg]

37 minutes ago, Kentucky Panther said:

Haven’t heard much from the Wilks fanboys lately. Glad they are finally on board with this hire and the amazing staff he’s put together 

How can anyone not be excited about the staff?

Wilks' staff would likely have been a lot different (particularly void of Evero for Holcombe). Honestly, I kind of shudder at the thought. But, I guess we wouldn't have missed what we never had. It would have been a pity though, seeing all that I see now. 

[Jon Snow]

2 minutes ago, top dawg said:

How can anyone not be excited about the staff?

Wilks' staff would likely have been a lot different (particularly void of Evero for Holcombe). Honestly, I kind of shudder at the thought. But, I guess we wouldn't have missed what we never had. It would have been a pity though, seeing all that I see now. 

I'm looking forward to looking like a team of nfl professionals running a modern nfl system instead of a bunch of amateurs trying to run a college system in the nfl.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

Something the glass half full people might appreciate:  Tepper, Reich, Rhule, Wilks and Panthers fans all appear to be in a better situation today than they found themselves in at this point last year.   

[Pejorative Miscreant]

9 minutes ago, NanuqoftheNorth said:

Something the glass half full people might appreciate:  Tepper, Reich, Rhule, Wilks and Panthers fans all appear to be in a better situation today than they found themselves in at this point last year.   

It’s a win for everyone.  Wilks isn’t an HC but a DC gig for one of the top teams in the league is a cushy consolation prize. 
 

glad Reich is doing what he’s doing andTepper seems to be finding his footing. 

But fug Rhule and all the corn in Nebraska. 

[Mr. Scot]

48 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

I'm looking forward to looking like a team of nfl professionals running a modern nfl system instead of a bunch of amateurs trying to run a college system in the nfl.

Tis true...

[OldhamA]

53 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

I'm looking forward to looking like a team of nfl professionals running a modern nfl system instead of a bunch of amateurs trying to run a college system in the nfl.

Oh man, the shade thrown at Joe Brady here is brutal.

[Mr. Scot]

30 minutes ago, OldhamA said:

Oh man, the shade thrown at Joe Brady here is brutal.

It's deserved.

Brady wasn't ready for an OC job, and he was hired by a head coach who wasn't qualified.

Granted, Brady might still have an NFL future if he works his way up.

Rhule on the other hand will likely never have another NFL job.

[Rocky Davis]

54 minutes ago, OldhamA said:

Oh man, the shade thrown at Joe Brady here is brutal.

I think Brady was handcuffed by Rhule like most of the organization.

When he was the sacrificial lamb and fired the offense got tons worse.  It stayed bad even with McAdoo being handcuffed by Rhule.  It did get better once Rhule was shown the door.  Didn't love McAdoo as our "rockstar" OC hire, but it was obvious Rhule had way too much say in everything around here.

Brady will get another chance and put in a better situation he will do fine.  Heck, if he was on Reich's staff he would do really well.

[Mr. Scot]

6 minutes ago, Rocky Davis said:

I think Brady was handcuffed by Rhule like most of the organization.

When he was the sacrificial lamb and fired the offense got tons worse.  It stayed bad even with McAdoo being handcuffed by Rhule.  It did get better once Rhule was shown the door.  Didn't love McAdoo as our "rockstar" OC hire, but it was obvious Rhule had way too much say in everything around here.

Brady will get another chance and put in a better situation he will do fine.  Heck, if he was on Reich's staff he would do really well.

Everybody was handcuffed by Matt Rhule.

Honestly, hamstrung might be an even better word 

[NanuqoftheNorth]

If only Rhule had been qualified to be an NFL head coach, then he could have mentored Brady.  As it was, Brady was on an island by himself, doomed to fail and ultimately be made a scapegoat for Rhule's ineptitude. 

Edited February 19, 2023 by NanuqoftheNorth

[Bear Hands]

6 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Everybody was handcuffed by Matt Rhule.

Honestly, hamstrung might be an even better word 

And boy, that man definitely liked ham