Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Here’s what we learned from Frank Reich’s first press conference as the new Carolina Panthers HC.
There was no shortage of interesting nuggets from Tuesday’s introductory press conference for new Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich. So, let’s pick up a few.
Here are our biggest takeaways from the big afternoon.
Panthers owner David Tepper admitted that hiring a “CEO-type” HC, something he had previously done with Matt Rhule, was a mistake.
Despite his background as a short order cook, Matt Rhule’s soup was a bit too convoluted for the Carolina Panthers. And on Tuesday, owner David Tepper admitted that.
Tepper chopped it up a bit with reporters following the introductory press conference for his new head coach Frank Reich. When asked about his well-documented preference for an offensive-minded head coach, the billionaire said teams have to go with the flow of the league’s ever-changing (and one-sided) rules.
“First off, every year, we get in these NFL meetings,” he said. “And every year, they put some new rule to benefit the offense. Every single year. Every single year. And it’s never gonna end. It’s never gonna end. Okay, every year. And the reason it is—scoring brings eyeballs. Okay? That’s what the league’s about—bringing eyeballs to watch the thing.
“So I can tell ya again, the new rules will be offense-minded rules. I don’t know what they are yet, but they will be offense-minded rules.”
He’d then continue by laying out another hurdle in his search—finding a candidate who didn’t command an imbalance of power.
“And the second challenge is, and I made this mistake, I think it’s a mistake to have a CEO-type head coach,” he added. “That’s a mistake. Just in general. That’s what I kinda believe. So I wanna get somebody who’s really good on offense or really good on defense.”
Reich himself stated earlier in the afternoon that he and general manager Scott Fitterer will have distinct roles in determining which 53 men will be active on Sundays. The 61-year-old said Fitterer will have say over the roster and he will have say in who gets to dress each week.
So, as of now, this menu is already looking much more appetizing than the last.
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This could change in a hurry, but Kris Richard isn’t reported among the candidates Panthers coach Frank Reich and owner David Tepper favor for defensive coordinator:
This could change in a hurry, but new Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Kris Richard wasn’t among the candidates the Carolina Panthers are discussing for their open defensive coordinator job. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that new Panthers head coach Frank Reich and owner David Tepper have differing opinions on who they should pursue for that vacancy, with Reich wanting to bring Gus Bradley with him from the Indianapolis Colts while Tepper likes Marquand Manuel.
Richard received an interview request for this job early in January, but that was before Carolina hired Reich. And he could still emerge as a candidate if neither of these guys are an option. Bradley is still under contract with the Colts and Manuel has been linked to the Houston Texans head coach favorite DeMeco Ryans. If the Panthers strike out there, Richard makes a lot of sense. He worked with Bradley on the Seattle Seahawks and has run similar systems in the past with the Dallas Cowboys.
So there’s still a chance Richard leaves New Orleans this offseason, even if it doesn’t seem very likely right now. He doesn’t call plays with the Saints (Dennis Allen has held onto that responsibility after being promoted to head coach) but he would get that opportunity in Carolina or on another staff around the league. It’s something to watch out for in the days ahead, but you have to hope the Saints don’t lose both of their co-defensive coordinators to division rivals after the Atlanta Falcons hired Ryan Nielsen.
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Tepper Sports & Entertainment ranks 19th on Forbes’ list of the most valuable sports empires for 2023.
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper might not have himself a head coach quite yet, but he does have himself one heck of a business.
On Tuesday, Forbes.com—courtesy of staffers Mike Ozanian and Justin Teitelbaum—released its list of the world’s 25 most valuable “sports empires” for 2023. These empires, which carry a combined total worth of $173 billion, are compromised of multiple sports and media organizations—which can include teams (of course), broadcast platforms, sponsorships, mixed-use real estate and sports-based technology.
Coming in at No. 19 is Tepper & Sports Entertainment. Tepper’s empire, off the strength of the Panthers and Charlotte FC, is valued at $4.55 billion.
Tepper, whose net worth was valued at $16.7 billion on the Forbes World’s Billionaires List in 2022, purchased the Panthers in 2018 at a then-NFL record $2.275 billion. As of August, they’re valued at $3.6 billion.
The former hedge fund giant then founded Charlotte FC in December of 2019. His footy team, as of September, sits at $570 million—nearly twice the worth from their inaugural season.
Now, we’ll soon find out who wants to take some of those Tepper bucks in leading his prized investment.
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Per Joe Person of The Athletic, the Panthers have indicated to at least one HC candidate that they plan on interviewing a group of finalists.
Unless any new names enter the conversation, the Carolina Panthers will wrap up their round of initial head coaching interviews on Tuesday—with Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. But will there be a second round of meetings?
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, there may very well be.
On Monday night, Person gave the latest update on the team’s hunt for a new head coach. He noted that owner David Tepper and his braintrust reportedly let at least one contender know they’ll be conducting another set of interviews after they cut down the field.
Person writes:
“Even before the pause in the search, it seemed Tepper was determined to conduct a more thorough search than he did when hiring Rhule, one of only four candidates to interview after Ron Rivera was fired. To that end, Tepper and his search committee — which includes Nicole Tepper, Fitterer, assistant GM Dan Morgan and vice president of football administration Samir Suleiman — have indicated to at least one candidate they plan to interview a group of finalists.
“But whether the Panthers conduct another round of interviews has not been determined yet, according to a source with knowledge of this situation.”
After tomorrow, the Panthers will have spoken with nine men for the position—Steve Wilks, Jim Caldwell, Frank Reich, Shane Steichen, Ejiro Evero, Ken Dorsey, Mike Kafka, Sean Payton and Moore. They’ve also had their interest turned down by three others—Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, who cancelled his interview with Carolina due to “logistical” issues.
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Per ESPN’s David Newton, the Panthers are now in compliance with the NFL’s mandated inclusive hiring training after a hangup regarding Nicole Tepper.
The Carolina Panthers can now proceed.
Last night, CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported that the organization received a call from a league executive on Wednesday regarding a possible violation in their search for a new head coach. The subject of the hangup was Nicole Tepper, Chief Administrative Officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and wife of team owner David Tepper.
Per the NFL’s practices for inclusive hiring training, Tepper did not fulfill the requirements necessary to be a part of the franchise’s search committee. A Panthers spokesman was quoted as saying Tepper did participate in training prior to the five interviews that have already taken place, but did not specify to what degree.
Well, less than two days later, the Panthers are now all clear.
According to ESPN’s David Newton, the team is in compliance with the mandated inclusive hiring training.
The Panthers are now considered by the league in compliance with the mandated inclusive hiring training, per source. A report surfaced Friday saying the wife of team owner David Tepper had not completed training.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) January 20, 2023
Carolina has already spoken to Steve Wilks, Frank Reich, Jim Caldwell, Shane Steichen and Ejiro Evero about their vacancy. They are also planning to hold interviews with Sean Payton, Ken Dorsey and Mike Kafka in the near future.
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The Panthers have postponed their meeting with Sean Payton and other coach candidates after the tragic death of Charlotte FC’s Anton Walkes:
The #Panthers contingent that was in NY conducting coaching interviews flew home following the passing of Charlotte FC soccer player Anton Walkes. The group was to interview Sean Payton Friday. That’s now on hold as owner David Tepper spends time supporting the grieving players.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 20, 2023
The Carolina Panthers have halted their search for a new head coach after 25-year old Charlotte FC player Anton Walkes was killed in a boating accident in South Florida on Wednesday, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This means former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton’s scheduled meeting with Panthers owner David Tepper in New York City on Friday has been postponed to a later date, which will extend his process in interviewing for head coach jobs around the league.
Tepper owns both the Panthers and Charlotte FC pro soccer club, and he’s taking this time to grieve with his players, employees, and family. Walkes, born in London, played in 23 games for Charlotte FC during their 2022 season. Tepper released a statement from the team website on Thursday:
“Everyone at Tepper Sports & Entertainment is devastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes. He was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met. Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch. He will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with Anton’s family during this heartbreaking time. The Club offers its full support to all those impacted during this period of mourning.”
We’d like to extend our condolences to Walkes’ family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time. May his memory be a blessing.
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David Tepper and the Panthers have put their upcoming coaching interviews on hold while mourning the tragic passing of Charlotte FC’s Anton Walkes.
The Carolina Panthers have put their upcoming coaching interviews on hold following the passing of Charlotte FC’s Anton Walkes. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was first with the news on Thursday night.
Walkes, 25, succumbed to injuries sustained from a boating accident that took place in South Florida on Wednesday. Owner David Tepper released a statement on the tragic death via the team’s official website:
“Everyone at Tepper Sports & Entertainment is devastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes. He was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met. Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch. He will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with Anton’s family during this heartbreaking time. The Club offers its full support to all those impacted during this period of mourning.”
The London-born defender was drafted by Charlotte FC in the 2021 MLS Expansion draft. He played in 23 games for the club during the 2022 season.
Carolina was set to interview Sean Payton for their head-coaching vacancy in Manhattan on Friday. Tepper, instead, will remain in Charlotte to provide support for grieving players.
We extend our condolences to Walkes’ teammates, friends and family during this time.
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As reported by CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Nicole Tepper did not complete the required inclusive hiring training necessary for her to be included in the Panthers’ HC search.
During his exit interview 10 days ago, Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer made a comment he’d probably like to have back. He told reporters that Nicole Tepper, Chief Administrative Officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and wife of David Tepper, was involved in their search for a new head coach.
Welp . . .
As reported by CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones on Thursday night, the Panthers are in violation of league rules pertaining to their head-coaching search. The violation is in regards to the involvement of Tepper—who, according to Jones’ sources, “had not fulfilled the required inclusive hiring training necessary for her to take part in the interviews as of Tuesday night.”
Jones, in his report, included a statement from NFL SVP and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane. It reads:
“The inclusive hiring training is a key element of our efforts to foster an equitable hiring process. Any suggestion that this mandatory requirement was not met by applicable clubs will be addressed and corrected immediately.”
Additionally, a Panthers spokesman said the following about the matter:
“She was trained prior to participating in interviews.”
Carolina has already interviewed Steve Wilks, Frank Reich, Jim Caldwell, Shane Steichen and Evero Ejiro for the position.
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NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero believes Panthers owner David Tepper would have doubts about trading high draft picks to the Saints for Sean Payton.
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper knows a good deal when he sees one . . . most of the time. But he might not see one when it comes to the acquisition of Sean Payton.
On Thursday, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero joined The Rich Eisen Show and talked about the “Push for Payton.” He began, though, by pushing back a bit on the notion that Tepper would do just about anything to reel in the former New Orleans Saints head coach.
“I don’t know that to be the case regarding the Panthers,” he said. “I believe David Tepper is someone who is going to be very skeptical about having to give up multiple high draft picks to get a coach on top of paying him top dollar and all the other things Sean Payton is going to want.”
Who's leading the @SeanPayton coaching jamboree?@TomPelissero talked with us today about how Super Bowl winner's tour is going and who's the front-runner at the moment:#NFL #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/4OK4vEWMwJ
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) January 19, 2023
According to a report by Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com on Wednesday night, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis will be looking for at least two first-round draft picks in exchange for Payton—who is under contract with New Orleans through the 2024 campaign. Duncan also noted that Payton is seeking a four-year deal worth anywhere from $20 million to $25 million per season.
So, yeah, maybe Tepper is a bit skittish about handing over all that draft capital to a division rival. Oh, and that’s not even including the roster and personnel control he’d likely have to give the former Super Bowl champion coach as well.
Perhaps some deals are just far too rich—even for billionaires.
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