Which head coaching candidates are emerging as potential targets for the Carolina Panthers once the 2023 offseason begins?
With the Carolina Panthers now in the process of putting together a concise plan of action ahead of the 2023 season, speculation is mounting across the board. From personnel decisions, player movement, and a potential franchise quarterback coming into the fold, it promises to be an immensely intriguing few months for everyone associated with the club.
The first order of business is a new head coach. Matt Rhule’s disastrous time at the helm was turned around by interim Steve Wilks, who deserves praise for resetting the culture and restoring pride across the franchise since his well-deserved promotion.
What the future holds for Wilks remains unclear. Team owner David Tepper cannot be anything other than impressed by how things have unfolded, but the temptation to look elsewhere is evident and because of the Rooney Rule, necessary,
Things should move quickly once the regular-season and wildcard rounds conclude. Here are four emerging head coaching candidates the Panthers could target in the coming weeks.
Candidate No. 1
Carolina Panthers could retain Steve Wilks
Although losing at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was extremely disappointing, Steve Wilks still deserves strong consideration for the job. It’s hard to put into words the mess he inherited after replacing Matt Rhule, which installed a sense of purpose and belief that wasn’t there under the new Nebraska head coach.
Wilks has everyone in the locker room on board, that’s for sure. He’ll get an interview at the very least, but the ultimate decision lies with the unpredictable Carolina Panthers owner, who could go in a completely different direction when push comes to shove.
This would be harsh on Wilks given the hand he was dealt. But the only opinion that matters is David Tepper’s at the end of the day.
Carolina Panthers could hire Jim Harbaugh
There’s growing speculation linking the Carolina Panthers with a big splash in their pursuit of a prominent head coach. Jim Harbaugh, in particular, is a name drawing significant traction over the past few days.
It all started with The Athletic report saying Harbaugh returning to the NFL is a “done deal” if he gets a suitable offer. This was swiftly followed by multiple announcements confirming David Tepper and the Michigan head coach held a preliminary discussion about the possibility of coming to Carolina.
Harbaugh told Queen City News that he anticipates returning to the Wolverines in 2023. But if Tepper decides this is the man, he’ll do whatever it takes.
This is not like tempting Matt Rhule from the college ranks on a lucrative deal. Harbaugh played in the NFL and enjoyed supreme success as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, so the risk is far less great regarding potential failure.
It would take a whopping contract and a huge say in personnel moves, just for starters. The Panthers have some nice pieces in place to build around, but Tepper might need to come out of a bidding war victorious with the Denver Broncos also sniffing around.
Again, this would be harsh on Steve Wilks. But there’s absolutely no doubt Harbaugh ticks every box Tepper is supposedly looking for in his next head coach.
Carolina Panthers could hire DeMeco Ryans
Another name that’s come up recently is a former player turned defensive innovator. While this doesn’t fit the mold of what David Tepper reportedly wants in his next head coach, the billionaire is said to be looking closely at DeMeco Ryans as another worthy interview candidate.
Ryans is anticipated to be one of the hottest names in this year’s cycle. His influence as San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator has seen this unit transform into one of the league’s most dominant, which won’t go unnoticed by other organizations when the time to create shortlists commences.
As a former player, Ryans commands instant respect within the locker room. He is a progressive mind who’s come through the ranks in a short space of time, which is always something teams bank on when examining would-be candidates.
While the Carolina Panthers already have a defensive guru in Steve Wilks, Ryans is younger and hotter in terms of his growing reputation. And the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree is one of the more prolific when it comes to producing head coaches in recent years.
The Panthers would be wise to interview Ryans at some stage. However, there should be a queue of suitors looking to secure his services and especially if San Francisco goes deep into the postseason as expected.
Carolina Panthers could hire Ben Johnson
If the Carolina Panthers go with an offensive young mind as many expect, it opens the floor considerably. This is something rumored to be under consideration by team owner David Tepper, although seeking the counsel of football figures such as Scott Fitterer and Dan Morgan is almost a necessity given how the Matt Rhule hire blew up in his face.
There are a number of potential candidates if Tepper opts to go down this route. One gaining more traction than most is Ben Johnson, who’s led the Detroit Lions offense on a remarkable run throughout 2022 despite severe questions surrounding this unit before the campaign.
Johnson is gaining momentum at the right time. If he can mastermind Detroit’s offense to a playoff berth with success over the Green Bay Packers in Week 18, interest will only grow.
The renaissance of Jared Goff despite some obvious limitations is a testament to Johnson getting the most of the tools at his disposal. More than a few teams will be watching with great interest and could see multiple interview requests emerge in the wake of such a tremendous achievement.
Developing quarterbacks, innovative offensive schemes, and learning how to lead from Dan Campbell are all positive traits Johnson brings to the table. But the lack of true NFL head coaching experience makes this a risk of sorts after Rhule’s failings.
As stated previously, expect Tepper to act quickly with so many important decisions facing the Panthers in 2023. And make no mistake, the billionaire cannot afford another grave error of judgment.