The Carolina Panthers’ newest head coach will be its first quarterback in franchise history.
The Panthers have named former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich as its next head coach.
The team announced the hiring with a photo showing Reich in his old No. 14 jersey in 1995 when the franchise joined the league.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Carolina interim head coach Steve Wilks “did a very nice job” on and off the field while Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore “really, really stood out” in the hiring process despite not ultimately being chosen for the position.
Reich most recently coached the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 to 2022. He finished with a 40-33-1 record in five seasons before being fired in 2022.
“After a long playing career at Buffalo, Reich signed with the Panthers in their first season as a franchise in 1995,” Panthers.com wrote in the welcoming profile. “Reich became Carolina’s first starting quarterback when he debuted for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, starting three games before Kerry Collins took over.
“Reich was with the Panthers for only their inaugural season, during which they went 7-9 – the best record for a first-year expansion team in NFL history.”
The NFL world was quick to react to the news:
Only time will tell how the Reich hire works out. But needless to say, Carolina is exuberant about it now.
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