Update 3: The team has confirmed the news. Matt Rhule is officially the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. He is the fifth head coach in franchise history (sixth if you count interim head coach Perry Fewell).
We have agreed to terms with Matt Rhule
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 7, 2020
#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/x42uDnNslR
Update 2: Adam Schefter is reporting that it’s a 7-year, $60 million contract for Rhule with a potential to be worth $70 million.
Panthers are giving former Baylor HC Matt Rhule a seven-year - seven year - deal worth $60 million that with incentives could be worth up to $70 million, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2020
Update: Rhule has signed a 6-year contract with the Panthers.
One note on the #Giants: Matt Rhule called them before signing his 6-year deal with the #Panthers and gave them the opportunity to match and lure him to get on the plane. They declined and hired Joe Judge instead.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2020
The Carolina Panthers are finalizing a deal to hire Baylor head coach Matt Rhule to become the team’s new head coach, according to a report from Pete Thamel. Panthers beat writers are also confirming the news.
Sources: Baylor coach Matt Rhule finalizing a deal to become next coach of the Carolina Panthers.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 7, 2020
Source: Baylor coach Matt Rhule is finalizing a deal to become the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers. @PeteThamel on it first.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 7, 2020
Rhule took over the Baylor program in 2017 after a successful three-year run at Temple. He went 19-20 at Baylor, but before you criticize hiring a coach with a losing record at his previous place of employ, keep in mind that Baylor was in a state of turmoil when he took over. His Baylor teams went 1-11 in 2017, 7-6 in 2018 and 11-3 in 2019. Baylor lost twice to Oklahoma in 2019 by a combined total of six points (including an overtime loss in the Big 12 title game) and also lost to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Rhule is the first coach in franchise history to come from an offensive background and is also the first coach in franchise history to be hired directly from a college program. I don’t know if this is going to work out in Carolina’s favor or not, but I’m excited about what the future holds for the Panthers, and I’m encouraged to see the team go in a new direction for the 2020 season.
What do you think about the hire, Panthers fans? Share your thoughts with us!