After news swirled and some precursor reports leaked, the Carolina Panthers released a list of head coach candidates. 

The requested interview list features six offensive coordinators, adding validity to the report that David Tepper was looking for an offensive-minded head coach to pair with Bryce Young. 

Teams can not conduct in-person interviews until Jan. 22. However, the league does allow virtual or conference call interviews before that date.  

Here is the list of candidates thus far: 

• Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
• Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
• Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan
• Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn
• Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald
• Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith
• Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris
• Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
• Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales

Breaking down each Panthers HC candidate

Johnson was a candidate in the Panthers' 2023 coaching search. He eventually pulled his name out of consideration, opting to return to Detroit for another season. His offense has helped value the Lions into the NFL playoffs. 

Slowik is a branch from the Shanahan tree. He got his first break in coaching with Mike Shanahan in Washington. Then, he moved to the San Francisco 49ers to work with Kyle Shanahan. Slowik is the the son of Bob Slowik, a long-time NFL defensive coach and coordinator, but Bobby has flourished on the offensive side of the ball. Most recently, he helped coach Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud to a top-10 passing season. The Texans also managed to make the playoffs. 

Callahan is a quarterback whisper. Though he hasn't called the plays in Cincinnati, he has been praised for his work with Joe Burrow, who became a superstar under his tutelage. The Panthers would be hoping for the same with Young. 

Quinn is a defensive coordinator with head coaching experience. His hire would be a deviation from the desire to get an offensive head coach, but Quinn's resume speaks for itself. He led the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl in his second season. He was also the defensive playcaller during the Seattle Seahawks' legion of boom defensive days. 

The Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Macdonald is tied to the Harbaugh brothers. He spent one year at the University of Michigan, where he helped the Wolverines reach the playoffs with a top-10 defense. He was also on the Ravens staff from 2014 to 2020 before heading to the college ranks and ultimately returning to Baltimore.

Smith doesn't call the offensive plays in Miami, but he has played a part in shepherding the Dolphins to a first-place finish in total offensive yards in 2023. With the Panthers expecting to maximize Young, looking at what the Dolphins have done with Tua Tua Tagovailoa is expected. 

Morris is a defensive coach with head coach experience. He was at the helm of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011. He was an assistant with Quinn. Morris has also won a Super Bowl as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator, bringing championship experience to the Panthers' locker room. 

Monken is another candidate from the Ravens. He's also won two championships as an offensive coordinator at the college level with the University of Georgia. In 2023, the Ravens have been an elite rushing offensive under Monken. 

Lastly, Canales, the offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers, has played a central role in revitalizing Baker Mayfield's career. He is also credited with helping Geno Smith find his footing in the league again in 2022. With the Panthers looking to capitalize off Young's talent, the team's intrigue in Canales is fairly straightforward. 

Panthers reveal first name in head coaching search

The Carolina Panthers requested an interview with Brian Callahan, the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.