Panthers owner David Tepper reveals what he's looking for in team's next head coach
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper held a 13-minute-long press conference on Tuesday to address the firing of head coach Frank Reich after 11 games on Monday. Amid the questions about Reich’s firing, Tepper found himself defending the fact that he’s fired three Panthers coaches since taking over the team in 2018.
“In other aspects of my life, we have people for 20-30 years who works for me. No one ever leaves me,” Tepper said, via Jori Epstein, adding, “I do have patience. My reputation away from this game is one of extreme patience.”
Apparently, Tepper’s patience ran out after loss No. 10 on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Not only is Reich out, but QB coach Josh McCown and running backs coach Duce Staley were also fired amid the tumult.
When asked what the owner will be looking for in his next head coach, he said he’s hoping for longevity. Not just four or five seasons, which would be significant given the Panthers’ recent history, but a decades-long tenure.
“I would like someone to be here 20, 30 years,” Tepper said. “I’d like to have someone say the eulogy at my funeral in 30 years. OK, maybe 40 years.”
Although reporters asked Tepper about general manager Scott Fitterer’s future at the end of the press conference, the owner did not respond as he exited.
Reich: ‘No hard feelings’ toward Tepper
Frank Reich shared his first comments on his firing in Carolina with the Charlotte Observer on Monday afternoon. The head coach, fired after 11 games this season, told Scott Fowler that the move by David Tepper was disappointing – and that the gig was likely his last in the NFL.
“There’s a heart-pounding disappointment in not hitting the marks that we needed to hit to keep this going and try to get it turned around,” Reich said. “It hurts me for the guys, the team, the coaches and the fans.”
Though Tepper pulled the trigger on Reich’s tenure in record time, the former Colts head coach told the Observer that there are no hard feelings. The Panthers even topped the Jaguars in terms of firing time. Jacksonville moved on from Urban Meyer two seasons ago after just 13 games.
“I want to convey that I have nothing but positive thoughts about Mr. Tepper,” Reich said. “On a personal level, I saw a side of him that I deeply respect and care about. But the NFL is a meritocracy. It’s not unconditional love.
“I understand from a professional standpoint Mr. Tepper is going to have certain standards that he expects to have met. I have no hard feelings, and my personal relationship was actually a real highlight of this short time.”
Despite the end of his very brief tenure, Reich will still receive the salary promised to him in his four-year contract. He turns 62 next week and he’s beginning to consider the end of his coaching journey. Although he will likely continue, his time in the big league may be done. He told Fowler: “This is probably the final chapter of my NFL journey.”