If we were in charge of the Carolina Panthers’ head-coaching search for 2023, we’re calling it even before we get out of 2022. And maybe David Tepper should too.
Back on Oct. 10, just a few hours after cooking Matt Rhule in short order, the brash billionaire owner repeatedly referred to “the hump.” His former white whale, one he once enacted a full-court press on straight into his driveway, couldn’t get his team over it.
“Look, again, a lot of time, uh, has passed here,” he told reporters after firing Rhule. “We have the record we have. And, uh, again—there’s different reasons that go into that. I think that there has been progress—of some sort. But, look, we’re just not getting over the hump. And we gotta get over the hump.”
Now, not even three months later, it’s interim head coach Steve Wilks that has gotten them over that hump.
From his very first day on the job—where he professed that even at 1-4, the Panthers’ season would not be canceled—Wilks infused a refreshing energy throughout the organization. His creed to “win the day” immediately reenergized staffers, players and fans alike—bringing a sense of urgency and accountability the previous regime sorely lacked.
Since then, the climb began.
The offense, even after the sudden trades of star running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Robbie Anderson, finally found an identity. Wilks and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo have concocted a ground-and-pound, grind-it-out style of ball that’s not only led the league in rushing over the past nine weeks, but would also make John Fox blush. (Heck, he’s even helped turn Sam Darnold into a competent quarterback.)
The defense, although inconsistent at times, is finally starting to crack through its ceiling. Wilks and defensive coordinator Al Holcomb are getting the best out of their budding stars in Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, Frankie Luvu and Jaycee Horn and have coached the unit up into a formidable threat.
Now, the Panthers sit at 5-5 through 10 outings under their new leader—which has matched Rhule’s win total from both of his two full 16 and 17-game seasons. But, more importantly, they’re sitting right on the cusp of an NFC South title—a prospect that seemed almost impossible when the coaching change occurred.
And that’s something veteran leader and longtime Carolina linebacker Shaq Thompson has certainly felt, as he encapsulated Wilks’ impact quite nicely following the team’s Week 14 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
“We ride behind Wilks,” he told reporters two weeks ago. “He came in here—he’s a true alpha, he’s the true leader. And guys follow behind him. He’s a player coach. Coming in here—checks on everybody, checks on people’s families, makes sure everybody’s doing the right thing.”
All that may be left, whether or not these final two games lead to that improbable playoff berth, is for the Panthers to do the right thing. Wilks has already laid his foundation, the players have already bought in and the franchise already has a phenomenal head start on its 2023 campaign.
So the right thing, at some point in the coming weeks, is to give Wilks the chance he’s always deserved and undoubtedly earned as a real head coach of an NFL football team.
