The Carolina Panthers reportedly plan to interview Baylor’s Matt Rhule for their head coaching vacancy.
“Owner David Tepper said it would be a tough transition for a college coach, but hasn’t ruled out hiring one,” ESPN’s David Newton reported Sunday.
Rhule, 44, has engineered a stunning turnaround at Baylor since going 1-11 in his first season. The Bears were 7-6 and went to the Texas Bowl in 2018. This season, they are 11-2 and ranked No. 7 heading into the Sugar Bowl against No. 5 Georgia on New Year’s Day.
Before taking the job in Waco, Texas, Rhule compiled a 28-23 record with two bowl appearances in four seasons at Temple from 2013-16.
Carolina has already interviewed former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy to replace Ron Rivera, who was fired after a 5-7 start this season.
Interim coach Perry Fewell will get an interview, and the Panthers also want to meet with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, according to the report.
The Panthers (5-10) finish the season Sunday at home against the New Orleans Saints (12-3).
The Panthers aren’t the first team to consider Rhule, a coaching candidate with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 and the New York Jets last January.
