CHARLOTTE — Frank Reich spoke to the media for the first time on Tuesday as the Carolina Panthers’ head coach.
Reich was named the team’s sixth head coach in franchise history last week. Reich was chosen among nine candidates who interviewed for the job, including former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and this season’s interim head coach, Steve Wilks.
Reich last coached the Indianapolis Colts where he went 40-33-1 as head coach before being fired on Nov. 7 after a 3-5-1 start.
The 61-year-old coach has a unique tie to his new team. Reich was the first starting quarterback for the Panthers in 1995.
Among the questions for David Tepper, Steve Wilks. pic.twitter.com/BqYGSLuazI
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) January 31, 2023
Reich certainly sounded like he has a very specific plan for how to attack the job with less than three months before the draft.
“Let’s have a consistency of excellence in everything that we do to create a championship-caliber team,” Reich said.
Tuesday’s news conference was a good opportunity for fans and the half dozen or so players in attendance to learn a little bit about Reich.
Reich is less of a CEO, more of a teacher and has a smart offensive mind but with the combine approaching, he must deliberate and be decisive over the next several weeks.
New Panthers head coach Frank Reich addressing the room now.
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) January 31, 2023
Says among the things that stood out during the interview process was the commitment to building a “championship caliber” team with a consistency of excellence. pic.twitter.com/Kf9cXdUDOA
>> In the videos on this webpage, Channel 9 sports director Phil Orban and sports reporter DaShawn Brown break down the highlights from Reich’s first news conference.
Panthers owner David Tepper went into detail on why the team’s offense has been a priority.
He mentioned a trend across the league that seems to have new rules, always benefiting the offense.
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That led to Tepper picking the first offensive-minded head coach in franchise history.
Tepper said the decision came down to who gave the team the best chance to be successful.
Tepper also said that he regrets hiring what he called a CEO-type head coach.
That was a reference to former coach Matt Rhule’s hands-on approach across the board.
Reich discussed collaboration, and the need to hear his players out. Reich is known as a teacher of the game.
VIDEO: Panthers introduce new head coach Frank Reich
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