Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is still learning how to be the Carolina Panthers’ owner—and the bumps he’s taken over the past six years have proven it. But perhaps the learning curve will get a bit less bumpy going into Year No. 7.
As part of her recent look into the NFL’s coaching carousel, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini put some focus on Tepper—who may ready to finally turn his ship towards the right direction.
Russini writes:
In Carolina, owner David Tepper has taken hit after hit around the league for meddling and creating a culture of fear, but a league source said Tepper has been self-reflective, blaming himself for almost all the mistakes made this season. The source said, “He’s incredibly accountable and ready to make it right. He’s rejuvenated.”
Since purchasing the team in 2018, Tepper has fired three head coaches—two of which he himself hired. Those two were Matt Rhule, who lasted 38 games, and Frank Reich, who lasted just 11.
Russini then hinted at who the billionaire owner may be zeroing in on next:
A league source said Tepper has his eye on Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who was his first choice last hiring cycle. Johnson is a native of western North Carolina and a former UNC walk-on quarterback but turned down a chance to continue conversations about the Panthers job last year because he didn’t feel ready to take over as a head coach. Now, the source said, Johnson is ready and is expected to have options.
Whether or not it’s related to Carolina’s head-coaching search—Tepper, according to CBS Sports senior NFL insider Jonathan Jones, reportedly spent “a good amount of time” with Johnson’s agent at last week’s league meetings.
