Chris Tabor: Panthers Interim Special Teams Coach Replaces Frank Reich

Carolina Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich and name Chris Tabor as interim head coach for the rest of the season.

The Carolina Panthers have made the decision to part ways with head coach Frank Reich after a disappointing 1-10 start to the season. This move comes less than a full season into Reich's tenure with the organization, highlighting the team's dissatisfaction with the direction of the offense and the lack of progress from top draft pick Bryce Young. Reich's hiring in January was met with high hopes, but his inability to turn the team's fortunes around ultimately led to his departure.

This marks the second time in as many years that the Panthers have fired a head coach mid-season, with owner David Tepper appointing special teams coach Chris Tabor as the interim head coach for the remainder of the year. Tabor, a Missouri native, has a wealth of experience in the NFL, having started as an assistant special teams coach for the Chicago Bears in 2008 before moving on to become the special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns from 2011 to 2017.

During his time with the Browns, Tabor's special teams unit achieved great success, with both kicker Phil Dawson and returner Joshua Cribbs earning Pro Bowl honors in 2012. He then returned to the Bears in 2018 as the special teams coordinator under head coach Matt Nagy, and even had a brief stint as the interim head coach for a game in 2021. Tabor joined the Panthers in 2022 as their special teams coordinator and will now step into the role of interim head coach as the team navigates through the rest of the 2023 season.

With Tabor at the helm, the Panthers will look to regroup and finish the season on a high note, hoping to find stability and success under his leadership. His extensive experience in the league and his previous interim head coaching experience make him a strong candidate to guide the team through this challenging period. As the Panthers move forward under Tabor's leadership, they will be looking to turn the tide and set themselves on a path towards future success.