Panthers hire former NFL quarterback Josh McCown as QB coach

The Carolina Panthers’ new head coach Frank Reich has made an addition to his coaching staff. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Reich has hired former NFL quarterback Josh McCown to his staff.

“The Panthers are hiring Josh McCown as their QB coach position under Frank Reich, sources say. The 17-year veteran QB finally lands in the coaching world — as a key assistant,” said Rappaport via Twitter.

McCown was most notably in the running for the Houston Texans head coaching vacancy last season before the team ultimately went with veteran head coach Lovie Smith. Prior to being considered for the Texans’ head coaching position, his last stop on an active NFL roster was with the Philadelphia Eagles. McCown has been a journeyman in his pro career featuring on the active rosters of eight NFL franchises and two more practice squad/ training camp rosters.

With McCown now over Carolina’s quarterback room, he will be responsible for aiding Reich in finding the Panthers’ starting quarterback for 2023. Whether that is Sam Darnold or last season’s rookie Matt Corral, or somebody not currently on the roster; it’ll be McCown who is responsible for molding them into Carolina’s offensive leader for next season.

Panthers hire Peter Hansen as new linebackers coach under Frank Reich

The Panthers added Peter Hansen as the team’s new linebackers coach, according to a team release.

Hansen joined new head coach Frank Reich’s new staff with the Panthers. Reich previously hired Ejiro Evero as the new defensive coordinator.

Hansen is familiar with Evero though. He coached under Evero with the Denver Broncos last season when both men were in the same roles under Nathaniel Hackett.

Prior to the Broncos, Hansen coached at UNLV from 2020-21 as the program’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. Hansen had additional college experience from 2014-19 as well.

He coached at Stanford under David Shaw for six seasons as the linebackers coach. Before Stanford, Hansen coached under Jim Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-13.

The 43-year-old Hansen played football and basketball at the University of Arizona.

Reich takes over as the Panthers’ head coach after a nearly five-year run as the Colts head coach. Previously he was an offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he won a Super Bowl in 2018.