3 OC candidates the Carolina Panthers could target under Frank Reich

Carolina Panthers could target Kevin Patullo

Kevin Patullo is a lesser-known commodity for most fans. But he’s an intriguing option.

The youngest of the three candidates we’re exploring in this article, Patullo would provide the youthful spark that owner David Tepper was seemingly enamored with coming into the head coaching search, while still having the NFL experience of Frank Reich to rely on.

Having begun his coaching career as a graduate assistant for both Arizona and South Florida universities, Patullo quickly moved up to the NFL. He operated as a quality control coach and offensive assistant from 2007 to 2014, working for the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Tennessee Titans, prior to serving as quarterbacks coach for the New York Jets for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

More recently, he served as an assistant coach under Frank Reich with the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-2021. Initially brought on to act as the wide receivers coach, he was moved over to the passing game specialist before the 2020 season began.

Patullo is currently operating as the passing game coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Jets, in fact, brought him in recently to interview for their available offensive coordinator position after the dismissal of Mike LaFleur.

Nick Sirianni didn’t hesitate to bring Patullo onto his staff in Philadelphia, however. Coming from the Reich coaching tree, it’s easy to connect the dots.

Sirianni’s appointment of Patullo should hold weight in Reich’s search for his next offensive coordinator. This is thanks in part to the new Carolina Panthers head coach giving this glowing endorsement to The Repository after accepting the job in Indianapolis.

"“When I got here, the first thing I said to (GM) Chris Ballard was, ‘There is one guy we have to get on this staff, and that is Nick Sirianni.’ Thankfully, (GM) Tom Telesco and the Chargers organization allowed Nick to take our coordinator position. I was grateful for that. I think the world of Nick. I think he is a brilliant offensive mind. He is a tireless worker. He pays attention to detail. He has a dynamic coaching personality.”"

Whichever way the front office and Reich decide to go, one thing is crystal clear – The Carolina Panthers have more high-end options today than they have had in years. Much of that credit should go to the character and credentials of their new appointment.