Frank Reich returns to the Carolina Panthers. Carolina hires Reich as the next head coach. The team announced on Thursday. He played as quarterback for the team in its inaugural 1995 season.
Reich, the sixth head coach in Panthers history, was a finalist for the the job.
Wilks initially served as the team’s defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach in 2022. The Panthers promoted him after firing Matt Rhule in October after a 1-4 start.
Reich, who played quarterback for four different teams from 1985-98, threw the first touchdown pass in Panthers history.
The 61-year-old has been head coach of the Indianapolis Colts for the past five years, for which he has a 40-33-1 record and with whom he has made the playoffs twice. He was released in November after a record of 3-5-1.
Previously, Reich served as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers (2014-15) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2016-17). Before joining the Colts, he was on the coaching staff of the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles.
He will be Carolina’s first head coach from an offense background. In the three seasons he’s been on the sideline, the Colts’ offense has been in the top 10 for scoring.
Reich has also attracted interest from the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers, who are looking for a new head coach and offensive coordinator, respectively.
The Panthers have struggled offensively in 2022, ranked 20th in points and 29th in total yards while using three different starting quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and PJ Walker.
Carolina has talented young players on both sides of the ball but has a big gap at quarterback again next season. The team owns the ninth pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
The Panthers will host the Colts in 2023.
