Updates on Panthers’ head coach/GM searches: Carolina interviews Lions’ Ben Johnson
The Panthers have cast wide nets in their searches for a head coach and general manager.
With at least 12 coaching candidates and 10 executive candidates, the Panthers plan to have a busy January as they look to replace former head coach Frank Reich and former GM Scott Fitterer. Last week, the search got under way with internal interviews and virtual chats with some external candidates.
The Panthers have retained advisory firm, Sportsology, to assist in the search efforts for both positions.
More updates: As we enter Week 3 of the respective searches, click here for an updated tracker.
Panthers’ head coach search
▪ Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan (virtually interviewed Thursday with an expected second interview next week, as reported by NFL Network; other reported interviews/requests: Falcons, Titans, Chargers)
▪ Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero (virtually interviewed last Thursday and has scheduled a second interview with the Panthers for next week, per NFL Network; other reported interviews/requests: Falcons and Seahawks)
▪ Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (virtually interviewed Friday; other reported interviews/requests: Seahawks, Falcons, Chargers, Commanders and Titans)
▪ Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales (virtually interviewed Thursday)
▪ Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik (virtually interviewed Thursday; other reported interviews/requests: Falcons, Seahawks, Titans and Commanders)
▪ Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (virtually interviewed Wednesday; other reported interviews/requests: Chargers, Titans and Commanders)
▪ Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris (virtually interviewed Wednesday; other reported interviews/requests: Falcons, Seahawks, Commanders and Chargers)
▪ Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith (virtually interviewed Tuesday; other reported interview/request: Seahawks)
▪ Panthers special teams coordinator Chris Tabor (virtually interviewed last Wednesday)
▪ Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken (virtually interviewed last Thursday; other reported interview: Chargers)
▪ Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald (virtually interviewed last Thursday; other reported interviews/requests: Falcons, Seahawks, Chargers, Titans, Commanders)
▪ Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson (interview requested; other reported interviews/requests: Falcons, Titans)
Panthers’ GM search
▪ Lions chief operating officer Mike Disner (withdrew from the Panthers’ GM search, per NFL Network. The team requested to interview him last week)
▪ Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby (second interview this week, per NFL Network)
▪ Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown (second interview this week, per NFL Network)
▪ Panthers assistant GM Dan Morgan (second interview this week)
▪ Ravens VP of football administration Nick Matteo (interviewed Monday, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport)
▪ Chiefs VP of football operations Brandt Tilis (interviewed Monday, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport)
▪ Raiders interim GM Champ Kelly (interviewed last Thursday, per Las Vegas Review-Journal)
▪ Saints assistant GM Khai Harley (interview this week, per Nick Underhill of NOF Network)
▪ Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds (interviewed Sunday, per ESPN)
▪ Buccaneers assistant GM Mike Greenberg
▪ Panthers VP of football administration Samir Suleiman
Note: Executives can interview with teams at any point in the playoffs. The Panthers aren’t acknowledging their interviews with GM candidates.
In other coaching news ...
▪ The Titans announced they interviewed Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown for their head coach opening on Thursday. Brown spoke with the Chicago Bears about their offensive coordinator job on Wednesday, a source confirmed to The Observer.
▪ Panthers outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu will interview for the New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator opening, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
▪ Evero was blocked from interviewing for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator job last week, The Observer confirmed. But he is available to take head coaching interviews, as reported above, and will have his second interviews with the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons next week, according to NFL Network.
▪ Tabor was blocked from interviewing for the New York Giants’ special teams coordinator job last week, The Observer confirmed.
This story was originally published January 15, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
