Panthers Searching for a Coach That Can 'Hold the Players Accountable'

Carolina is looking for more than just a guy that can help fix the offense.

The Carolina Panthers have interviewed eleven candidates for the team's open head coaching position and will likely begin a second round of interviews early next week without adding to the list.

I've stated for several weeks the Panthers can't just get an "offensive genius" to run the show or someone who can elevate that side of the football. They need a true leader, an alpha. Since Tepper took over the team, they've lacked an identity and a culture inside the building. Okay, well, maybe there has been an identity and culture but not one they're proud of. 

Especially with this being such a young team that's likely to get younger this offseason, hiring a Dan Campbell-like coach would do this franchise a lot of good. A coach that the minute he walks into the room, he commands respect and has everyone bought in to the vision. He is the clear, singular voice - something the Panthers had too many of this past season.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport stated Friday on The Pat McAfee Show that they are indeed looking for that type of a head coach.

"The Panthers are looking for a head coach who's gonna hold the players accountable..

I know that last year in Carolina they didn't always think that" ~ @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/9wtlLYcrs1

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 19, 2024

"I would say what they are looking for as far as a head coach goes is someone to hold the players accountable. And I know that last year in Carolina, they didn't always think that. There were certain things that Tepper wanted and expected from a football coach and an organization and from a football department and didn't get. So what I'm trying to figure out and what candidates are trying to figure out is..is Tepper a meddling owner? I would say probably not. Did Tepper not see things coached to the standard that he wanted? Probably yes."

Why Not Interview Harbaugh and Belichick?

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