It be your own people.
According to a recent report done by The Athletic, Panthers head coach Frank Reich was allegedly done-in by several Carolina staffers who took issue with the direction the team was going in.
The report described the back-stabbing as a part of a larger “Hunger Games” culture within the building.
“Team sources described a ‘Hunger Games’ culture at Bank of America Stadium. Coaches said they believed other staff members were text messaging Tepper behind Reich’s back about issues they saw with the team,” the report said. “In one instance, general manager Scott Fitterer and an offensive coach went to Tepper with a coaching suggestion for the quarterback.”
Offensive issues and stunted QB development doomed Frank Reich’s Panthers tenure.
But team employees paint a picture of dysfunction in Carolina.
More, with @DMRussini and @josephperson ⤵️https://t.co/btd8B30CgN pic.twitter.com/MaDWYBkUTz
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 6, 2023
One anonymous Panthers coach added that people were “just finger-pointing hoping they don’t get exposed.”
Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. also gave his thoughts on the team’s situation. Saying after Reich’s firing, “I can honestly say I don’t think [Coach Frank] was the sole problem and everything is fixed now. We’ve still got a lot of stuff we have to fix.”
Reich’s dismissal is in line with how David Tepper has handled business since taking over in Charlotte. In back-to-back years, the Panthers haven’t had a head coach that has made it to the end of the season.