Carolina Panthers to Interview Frank Reich for Head Coaching Vacancy

The Carolina Panthers will interview a Super Bowl champion and one-time playoff hero for their head coaching vacancy on Wednesday. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the team will meet with former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich later today.

The #Panthers are interviewing former #Colts HC Frank Reich for their vacant head coaching job today, source said. He spent a year as a player in Carolina and has ties to the area.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2023

Reich was fired by the Colts earlier in the 2022 season after a disappointing 3-5-1 start. He initially joined the organization in 2018. He won 40 of his 74 games and led the team to playoff appearances in 2018 and 2020.

Reich's initial claim to fame came way back in 1993 as a quarterback when he led the Buffalo Bills to the largest postseason comeback in NFL history, bringing the team back from a 35-3 deficit to eventually beat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in the Wildcard Round.

Reich announced himself as a major coaching prospect as the offensive coordinator of the 2017 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Reich coached backup quarterback Nick Foles to one of the greatest and most surprising postseasons in NFL history: Foles won Super Bowl MVP after passing for 971 yards, six touchdowns, and a 115.7 passer rating over three games for the Eagles.

Between the sudden departure of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck following the 2018 season and being forced to start backup quarterback Sam Ehlinger this season, Reich endured bad luck as head coach of the Colts. He could flourish in a more stable situation.