The Carolina Panthers have announced Ron Rivera is fired as head coach, meaning it is now searching for the next Panthers head coach. So who are the top candidates to replace Ron Rivera as the Panthers head coach? We’ve got the list of top Panthers targets and some realistic options to replace Ron Rivera in 2020.
There are some notable names the Panthers could hire, like Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, plus a former NFL head coach in Mike McCarthy and a sitting NFL head coach in the Cowboys’ Jason Garrett. Carolina should aim high, but if they miss on the top names, who are some of the other options?
The Panthers seem interest in offensive minds and coaches who are willing to embrace analytics. If that’s the case, there are some current NFL offensive coordinators who makes sense. Ravens OC Greg Roman might be the top fit, but watch out for Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski, Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, Jaguars OC John DeFilippo and Saints OC Pete Carmichael.
The Panthers do go with another defensive option, 49ers DC Robert Saleh appears to be the top option. Carolina could also target a college head coach and Matt Rhule would be a home-run hire after the job he’s done at Baylor.
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Ron Rivera firing wasn’t a huge surprise, although the timing might be. The Panthers have struggled since their Super Bowl run and although Rivera could very well be hired by a new NFL team, it was time.
The Top 10 Panthers Head Coach Candidates:
#10 Mike McCarthy (Former Packers HC)
#9 Jason Garrett (HC, Cowboys)
#8 Robert Saleh (DC, 49ers)
#7 John DeFilippo (OC, Jaguars)
#6 Pete Carmichael (OC, Saints)
#5 Jim Harbaugh (HC, Michigan)
#4 Eric Bieniemy (OC, Chiefs)
#3 Kevin Stefanski (OC, Vikings)
#2 Matt Rhule (HC, Baylor)
#1 Greg Roman (OC, Ravens)
Tom Downey is the Senior Writer & On-Air Host at Chat Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @Whatgoingdowney.
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