Panthers fire head coach Matt Rhule after poor start

The Carolina Panthers have sacked head coach Matt Rhule following a dismal start to the 2022 season.

The dismissal came just a day after the Panthers were thrashed 15-37 by the San Francisco 49ers, which has left Carolina with a 1-4 record after five games.

Rhule arrived in Carolina with a big reputation after a successful tenure at Baylor and Temple. He signed a mega seven-year deal worth $62 million when he joined in 2020.

But with a record of 11-27 over two-plus seasons, the 47-year-old leaves with his credentials in tatters.

There had been expectations on a successful 2022 for the Panthers after acquiring Baker Mayfeld from the Cleveland Browns and the return to full fitness of star running back Christian McCaffrey. But Mayfield has completed just 54.9 percent of his passes this season with just four touchdowns.

Defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach Steve Wilks, who was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, will take over as interim head coach of the team.