The Bucs and Todd Bowles will have to game plan against a new scheme in the NFC South as their division rival Carolina Panthers have announced that they have hired Frank Reich as their new head coach. Reich was previously the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-2022, but was fired in the middle the season as the Colts started 3-5-1.

Many feel that Reich got a raw deal by being let go so quickly. Overall, he had 40-33-1 regular season record with the Colts, making the postseason twice with a 1-2 record. Interestingly enough, Reich got his coaching start under Hall of Famer and Bucs Ring Of Honor member, Tony Dungy, when he was head coach in Indy. He began as a coaching intern in 2006 and 2007, followed by an upgrade to offensive coaching staff assistant in 2008. Reich remained with the staff after Dungy retired when the season was over.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Reich has made a couple of stops as an assistant before going back to Indy as the head coach. He had stays with the Cardinals and Chargers, but most notably he was the offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl winning Philadelphia Eagles during the 2017 season, defeating Tom Brady and the Patriots 41-33 in a great game.

Bucs Can Take Another Off Their OC List

As the Bucs continue their search for a new offensive coordinator, they can cross Reich’s name off the list. While there wasn’t any direct links with the Bucs, he was a popular figure to be a top candidate for their next signal caller.

Tampa Bay has began the process of interviewing coaches. They completed one with Klint Kubiak and have two others set up with Keenan McCardell and Jim Bob Cooter. More coaches should pop up over the next weeks and months.

Bucs’ Record Against Reich

Bucs FS Antoine Winfield, Jr. – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs are 2-0 against Reich as a head coach with both coming when Bruce Arians as head coach. Coincidentally, the Bucs scored 38 points in each game. Tampa Bay beat Indianapolis at home in 2019 by a score of 38-35. Then in 2021, the Bucs went on the road to beat the Colts 38-21 in a game that was highlighted by an incredible interception by Antoine Winfield Jr, who made a Randy Moss typed of catch when covering Michael Pittman Jr. Todd Bowles was the defensive coordinator for both games.

The Panthers fired Matt Rhule early last season after a 1-4 start. Interim head coach Steve Wilks did a good job rallying them after they had traded away their best players such as Christian McCaffrey. Wilks went 6-6 as the interim, getting the Panthers to a 7-10 record, only one game behind the division leading Bucs.

Last year, these two teams split the season series against each other, with the home team winning each game. The Panthers won their first meeting 21-3 in Week 7, while the Bucs took the second round in Week 17, beating their rival 30-24. That latter game was very high stakes as Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South.

Reich has had a knack for having success when working with new quarterbacks. He’ll need exactly that in Carolina with Matt Corrall going into his second year, or if they decide to draft another quarterback this year. The Bucs will look to continue their wining ways against Reich and stay atop the NFC South for a third straight season.