Which potential new head coaches should the Carolina Panthers already be thinking about if things go south with Matt Rhule in 2022?
Despite enormous pressure from fans and the wide media, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper opted to keep faith with head coach Matt Rhule after a dismal 2021 campaign. This was met with widespread derision and it was some time before the billionaire declared his confidence publicly, but the former Baylor man was always of the belief he’d get a third year in the role when most thought otherwise.
It’s been an offseason of change under Rhule this offseason. His coaching staff now boasts legitimate NFL experience and with problem areas of the roster getting a makeover, there is renewed hope that the Panthers can finally start trending upward at long last.
Whether Rhule is the right man for the job is another matter. Any further underachievement will not go down well and might finally see Tepper end this expensive experiment way ahead of time.
With this in mind, here are seven potential head coaches that the Panthers should already be thinking about if Rhule cannot make a better go of things in 2022.
Head Coach No. 1
Steve Wilks – Carolina Panthers DB coach
One notable arrival to the Carolina Panthers this offseason was the return of Steve Wilks as the team’s defensive backs coach. This was a hugely popular move and something that can help a gifted young secondary reach new heights for good measure.
Listening to Wilks talk, he just sounds like a head coach. A calm demeanor with a steely determination that players run through a brick wall for.
Wilks’ time as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals didn’t go according to plan – a situation where he was almost set up to fail. If Matt Rhule is removed during or after the 2022 season, this might be the perfect interim or even long-term replacement.