Panthers' Firing of Head Coach Frank Reich Should Be No Surprise

Presumably, Panthers head coach Frank Reich knew his job was in jeopardy.

Reich's biggest accomplishment as the head coach of the Panthers since his hiring in January would have been putting his team in position to make the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The problem, however, is that the Chicago Bears own that pick. The Panthers went 1-10 under Reich and have the NFL's worst record so far.

But the loudest hint for Reich might have literally been a loud one. On Sunday, after the Panthers lost 17-10 to the Tennessee Titans, Panthers owner David Tepper stormed out of the locker room and yelled "F***!" at a high-enough decibel for reporters to hear. The Athletic wrote that Tepper's frustrations had "seemingly hit a boiling point" and it was "hard to see how Frank Reich will make it through his first season."

Reich didn't make it through the next day. The team announced on Monday morning that Reich had been relieved of his duties.

Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich walks off the field after a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium on November 19, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Reich was fired by the Panthers on November 27.

Photo by David Jensen/

"I met with Coach Reich this morning and informed him that he will not continue as head coach of the Carolina Panthers," Tepper said in a statement. "I want to thank Frank for his dedication and service, and we wish him well."