Tracking the latest news for Carolina Panthers head coaching vacancy

The Carolina Panthers became the first NFL franchise to fire their head coach in the 2022 NFL season when they relieved coach Matt Rhule of his duties in October.

Hired in 2020 after coaching for Baylor, Rhule finished his Carolina tenure with a disappointing record of 11-27 while failing to find a franchise quarterback for the Panthers. The Panthers have surged without him. After starting 1-4, the Panthers have a chance to go 6-6 down the stretch. While this may not seem like a skyrocket in momentum, they did so after trading away Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson at the NFL trade deadline. They came up short in their bid for the NFC South title, but it was an impressive turnaround.

Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who was the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, took over as interim coach in Carolina. He’s experienced plenty of success, which makes him a viable candidate to lose the interim tag and take over the job full-time.

Wilks won’t be the only candidate for the job, though. We’ll be tracking all coaching names that are attached to the Panthers’ head coach job, whether they are just rumors or names that get interviews.

Update — The Panthers have hired Frank Reich as their next head coach, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday. Below you can find all the background info and the interview process for the Panthers.

Interview Candidates

January 10: The Panthers interviewed both interim coach Steve Wilks and former Lions and Colts coach Jim Caldwell on Tuesday, per The Athletic.

January 10: The Panthers requested to interview Eagles OC Shane Steichen.

January 10: The Panthers requested an interview with Bills OC Ken Dorsey.

January 10: The Panthers have requested an interview with the Giants OC Mike Kafka, per Tom Pelissero.

January 11: Frank Reich, former Colts head coach, will interview with the Panthers on Wednesday, per Ian Rapoport.

January 11: The Panthers have requested permission to interview the Dallas Cowboys OC Kellen Moore, per Todd Archer.

January 12: The Panthers have requested permission to interview 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans, per John Lynch.

January 12: Lions OC Ben Johnson will interview with the Panthers for their head coaching position.

January 12: Carolina requested an interview with Patriots assistant Jerod Mayo, per Tom Pelissero.

January 14: Carolina requested an interview with Broncos DC Ejiro Evero, per Tom Pelissero.

January 15: The Panthers requested an interview with former Saints head coach Sean Payton, per Adam Schefter.