Home Christian News Former Charlotte Pastor Frank Reich Named Carolina Panthers Head Coach

Former Charlotte Pastor Frank Reich Named Carolina Panthers Head Coach

“You know,” the coach said, “I had guilt about that decision for a couple of years. Did I fail the Lord? Was I not tough enough? Was I not faithful enough? Thankfully I had a lot of good friends and mentors who helped me overcome the guilt of feeling like I was quitting. I’ve never been a quitter.”

He explained, “What ultimately helped me understand was the very thing I was preaching and learned in seminary. All work is to the Lord. Being a pastor is a special calling, but it wasn’t the only way to minister. I tried to live that out as a player. So it’s the idea that no matter what you do, you do it to the glory of God, and it’s sacred work. And that ultimately is what freed me up to understand that I could step away from the pastorate and still do the Lord’s work, still fulfill his calling in my life in a way that was meaningful.”

“At the end of the day, I just wanted to be faithful to exalt the name of Christ; be faithful to live out and eat, sleep, and breathe the word of God,” Reich concluded. “That is my focus.”

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Reich has often been outspoken about his faith in interviews. In 2021, after the Colts defeated the Buffalo Bills 41-15, Reich shared one of his favorite worship songs and Scripture with reporters during a post-game press conference.

The coach elaborated on how the song “In Christ Alone” encouraged him during times when he needed strength, particularly 30 years ago at a press conference when he was a player for the Bills and wanted to encourage others who where in the midst of a struggle.

Quoting the lyrics, Reich said, “In Christ alone I place my trust, and I find my glory in the power of the Cross. In every victory, let it be said of me, that my source of strength and my source of hope is Christ alone. I seek no greater honor than just to know him more.”

“Even though it was more than 30 years ago, when I read those words here in this stadium,” Reich recalled. “This week I was reminded — Hebrews 13:8 says, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.’ It’s crazy, but we’re here some 30 years later, not living in the past, but rather attempting to press on to what is ahead.”

“So my encouragement is to keep climbing, and to find the strength and power that you need in Jesus Christ,” Reich concluded.

Reich is scheduled to be officially introduced as the Panthers’ head coach at a press conference schedule for Tuesday (Jan. 31).