I was anything but shocked when the notification came across my phone that the Carolina Panthers fired Frank Reich this morning. Yes, it’s only 11 games into his first season as the head coach. But David Tepper has a short leash when it comes to coaches (though not short enough when it came to Matt Rhule). And Reich, well he’s done literally nothing in his tenure. The offensive-minded head coach had an offense that can only be described as inept. The team seemingly never bought in. And they certainly didn’t rally around the coach.
Frank Reich and David Tepper
Most Panthers fans never wanted Reich to begin with. And he was set up to fail when the fanbase and team so desperately wanted Steve Wilkes to get the permanent job. To so many fans, there was hardly a realistic scenario where Reich did enough. But I think it’s safe to say, he didn’t do enough for anyone. Not only is the team sitting at 1-10 with the worst record in the NFL. They haven’t shown any signs of improvement. And it’s pretty clear that it was the wrong choice.
That being said as I previously alluded he was set up to fail. The Panthers sold their soul to get Bryce Young. Who admittedly doesn’t have a lot of help. But what we gave up to get Young cost us. And Reich was the one who ultimately took the blame first for that. A decision that most likely wasn’t his. He shouldn’t be the last, GM Scott Fitterer should be the next to go.
I’ve read numerous articles today placing the blame for the absolute **** show that the Panthers are, where I also place it- with David Tepper. Unfortunately, that’s the one thing we can’t change. It’s been a rough going for Panthers fans. I’ve honestly lost interest and certainly lost any emotional investment I had in this team. And I hate it. I resent Tepper. I wish he’d never taken over this team. And I wish he’d let the professionals do what they do and not interject himself in the day-to-day. He could learn, but I don’t have any reason to believe he will. Has he learned from his two horrendous coaching choices? I hope so. The city of Charlotte hopes so.
So while we wait to see what the next move is, enjoy Twitter’s reaction to the Panthers firing of Frank Reich. Because misery loves company. And being a Panthers fan since the day David Tepper became the owner? It’s been nothing but miserable.
