The new Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich has continued adding to his coaching staff, hiring former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell as his senior assistant.
Joining Caldwell is former Panthers and Houston Texans coach Dom Capers, who was hired last week as a senior defensive consultant. While Capers will work directly with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Caldwell will be tasked with coaching the offense, defense, and special teams.
Caldwell was head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2009 to 2011, where he won the 2019 AFC Championship. He then coached the Detroit Lions from 2014 until 2017. He obtained winning records with both teams; 26-22 with the Colts and 62-50 with the Lions. He also reached the postseason twice with each team.
Reich has still not divulged whether he will hire an offensive coordinator or call the plays himself. He is believed to currently be targeting Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach/tight ends coach Thomas Brown for the role. According to reports, Brown is due to have a second interview with the Panthers this week.
Unlike previous coach Matt Rhule, Reich is bringing in a coaching staff with plenty of NFL experience. One of the main criticisms of Rhule was that most of his team followed him from Baylor.
