Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich never wants to put the focus on himself. But the focus, especially over the next few days, will still find him.
Before making his return to Charlotte to lead the Panthers, Reich spent the 2022 season—or at least half of it—at the helm for the Indianapolis Colts. So, with his former employer coming to town for a matchup on Sunday, he was asked about the emotions he had left there with.
“Positive emotions,” Reich said after Wednesday’s practice. “There’s always a disappointment about movin’ on, just like anybody who moves on in a job. But a lot of great relationships.
“But for me, this is very common in this league. I’ve been in this league for 30 years. Players and coaches—you move on, you have a new family, you love the people you just left, you respect them, you move on and you’re focused to the next chapter of your life and your career.”
Reich, after a 3-5-1 start, was fired by the Colts last season. He had spent nearly five seasons as the head coach in Indianapolis, putting together a 40-win tenure that resulted in a pair of playoff berths.
So, did Reich learn anything from that departure? He was then asked if recently handing over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown had anything to do with his shortcomings in Indy.
“You guys know how it is,” he replied. “I don’t wanna stand up here and make this a personal thing, ’cause it’s not. This is the next game. They’re all important. I’m interested in our guys and how we’re gonna prepare this week.”
