Panthers Head Coaching Search Hits Minor Snafu

After starting their 2022 NFL campaign with a 1-4 start, the Carolina Panthers moved on from head coach Matt Rhule.

In their final 12 games, the Panthers went 6-6, finishing the season 7-10.

Despite turning it around for the last two-thirds of the season, the Panthers quickly began their search for a new head coach, along with four other teams across the league that fired their coaches this year.

However, recent reporting has found that the Panthers might not have followed the correct processes when conducting this job search.

Sources tell @CBSSports the Carolina Panthers had been in violation of league rules related to their head coach search. At issue: Nicole Tepper did not complete mandatory inclusive hiring training before the team’s search began. https://t.co/8xOTcJKefS

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 20, 2023

According to this report, there were members of the Panthers staff that did not take league mandatory diversity and inclusion training, which is necessary for anyone who is in charge of making hiring decisions.

In the past several years, the NFL has made a concerted effort to make sure their hiring process is buttoned-up, which includes this diversity training, as well as the Rooney Rule.

The Panthers, although in violation of this rule, are in desperate need of new leadership.

They finished tied for last place in the NFC South, a division that should be up for grabs in 2023, considering the fact that Tom Brady is likely to leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Panthers hold the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

With talks that this could be the best crop of quarterbacks in quite some time, the Panthers just might be able to draft their future franchise star at the position.

In potentially doing so, they will need to hire a veteran head coach who can help support that player.