We’ve told you that Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper isn’t messing around this offseason. But if you still don’t want to listen to us, then listen to head coach Frank Reich.
On Tuesday, Reich was asked how important Tepper’s financial backing has been in assembling an all-star coaching staff. And he made it clear that the billionaire has been putting his money where his mouth is.
“And to Mr. Tepper’s credit, he never flinched on that statement,” he said during his press conference. “He’s been around the block a few times in a few ways. That doesn’t mean it’s open checkbook. That just means we’re willing to do what it takes to get the right coaches and put the right team together.
“So it was a good checks and balance, but he backed up what he said—I can tell ya that. And we were able to compete against other teams who were vying for similar candidates where we came out on top because of that backing.”
Tepper’s resources most notably came into play for the hiring of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Evero, who had been drawing strong interest from the Minnesota Vikings and was not yet ruled out of the running for the Indianapolis Colts’ head-coaching job, reportedly received quite the offer to come to Carolina.
In addition to their popular defensive play caller, the Panthers have also really turned heads by adding offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown assistant defensive backs coach DeAngelo Hall and senior assistant Jim Caldwell—just to name a few.
