The Panthers are building an absolute juggernaut of a coaching staff. At the writing of this article, Frank Reich's staff has a total of 266 years of NFL Coaching experience as a whole. Let's take a second to dig into a few of the biggest acquisitions so far:
Dom Capers
Capers is stepping in as a senior defensive assistant for the Panthers. He has a total of 36 years coaching in the NFL, 8 of them as a head coach with the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans. Capers was the AP coach of the year in 1996 and has a Superbowl championship with the Green Bay Packers in 2011. He is sure to bring in a wealth of knowledge to help this next guy out running the defense.
Ejiro Evero
Evero comes to the Panthers as the team's new defensive coordinator. After spending one year in the NFL as a player, Evero set out on a coaching journey that has included 15 years and a Superbowl championship with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. Everos' base 3-4 defensive scheme will be a change for a young Panthers squad used to running a 4-3, but it will be a welcome one. Having experienced coaches like this next one will help with the transition.
Jim Caldwell
Caldwell is stepping into a senior assistant role for the Panthers this season. He has been an NFL coach for 18 years, 7 of them as head coach for the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions. He is a two-time Superbowl champion with wins with the Colts in 2007 and the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. Caldwell's addition to the staff is big as he brings knowledge to defense, special teams, and offense. Offense is also my next coach's specialty.
Duce Staley
Staley comes in as the assistant head coach and running back coordinator for the Panthers. After a great 10-year career in the NFL as a running back, Staley went into coaching where he's going into his 12th year. Staley brings in two Lombardi trophies, one with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one with the Eagles. He brings a true player's perspective to the locker room. Just like this next coach below.
Josh McCown
After his respectable 17-year NFL career as a journeyman quarterback for 12 different teams, Josh McCown has finally taken his first step into coaching with the Panthers. McCown comes into the building as the new quarterback coach for the team. He is the definition of a seasoned veteran. His knowledge of different systems should help greatly with this team as they eye a young QB to likely take the helm. Speaking of at the Helm, this next coach is just that.
Frank Reich
Reich brings a wealth of his own experience to the team. After a 13-year career as a backup quarterback, Reich went straight into coaching where he's stayed for the last 17 years. He comes to Carolina after a stint as the head coach of the Colts. Reich brings a lot to the table for this team. He’s the team's first-ever offensive-oriented head coach, as well as a two-time Superbowl champion with wins with the Colts and Eagles.
Experience is free-flowing on this Panthers staff, and this is just the beginning. As Frank Reich and David Tepper continue to fill out the rest of the staff's positions there's one thing clear. Experience is key, no matter the expense. I see this paying off dividends for this young Panthers team itching to find success.
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