Matt Rhule Out as Carolina Panthers Head Coach

Rhule Fired After 2.5 Seasons

The Carolina Panthers have fired head coach Matt Rhule after two and a half seasons, the team announced Monday. Rhule went 11-27 in his time with the Panthers, including a 1-4 record this season. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Rhule's Tenure in Carolina

Rhule was hired by the Panthers in 2020 after a successful tenure at Baylor University. He was tasked with turning around a struggling franchise that had not made the playoffs since 2017. Despite some early signs of progress, Rhule was unable to sustain success in Carolina.

The Panthers went 5-11 in Rhule's first season, but they improved to 7-9 in 2021. However, the team regressed this season, starting 1-4 and showing little signs of improvement. Rhule's firing comes as no surprise, as the Panthers have been one of the worst teams in the NFL this season.

What's Next for the Panthers?

The Panthers will now begin the search for their next head coach. Several potential candidates have already been identified, including former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. It is unclear who the Panthers will ultimately hire, but they will be looking for a coach who can turn around the franchise and lead them back to the playoffs.

Conclusion

Matt Rhule's firing is a major setback for the Carolina Panthers. The team has now fired two head coaches in the past three years, and they have not made the playoffs since 2017. The Panthers will need to find a new head coach who can turn around the franchise and lead them back to contention. Until then, the Panthers will continue to struggle to compete in the NFC South.