Carolina Panthers Receivers Coach, Richard Williamson, Retires

ESPN reports that Carolina Panthers wide receivers coach, Richard Williamson, retired Monday at the age of 68.

Williamson had been mulling retirement for a number of years. He joined the Panthers in 1994, a year before the team’s inaugural season.

He coached receivers Steve Smith, Muhsin Muhammad, Patrick Jeffers, Raghib Ismail, and Mark Carrier to at least one 1,000-yard receiving season each. Moreover, Williamson weathered the changes of three head coaches; Dom Capers, George Seifert, and current head coach John Fox.

During the Seifert era, he served as interim offensive coordinator when Bill Musgrave unexpectedly stepped down from the position.

Could Williamson be a candidate for Canton? I would think so, given the success he’s had as a receivers coach. However, the general rule is that assistant coaches have never received such an honor.