Panthers overhaul complete with new defensive coordinator
Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is leaving for an opportunity to lead the Arizona Cardinals next season…
When the Carolina Panthers season ended after a wild card loss to the New Orleans Saints, coach Ron Rivera addressed the media in regards to the future of his coaching staff. Believing first-year defensive coordinator Steve Wilks had earned the opportunity to lead his own team, Rivera stated there would be no other changes than someone taking a position elsewhere. Obviously with Wilks in mind, Rivera was laying the groundwork for his departure.
Wilks interviewed with numerous teams who had vacancies at the top but almost daily it seemed he was being passed up for other candidates. After only one year serving as defensive coordinator, it could be other teams were hoping for someone with more experience or a proven track record and Wilks returning to Charlotte, his hometown, wouldn’t have been a bad thing.
The Arizona Cardinals however, conducted second-round interviews and will be officially naming Wilks their new head coach very soon. Rivera and the Panthers expected it would happen and for the second consecutive season will be filling the role of defensive coordinator during the offseason.
Instead of this being the only change, Rivera backtracked on his sentiment to keep things the same moving forward as the replacement of Wilks completes the coordinator overhaul for Carolina. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula was fired just days after Rivera’s initial comments and replaced by Norv Turner.
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Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey will not return as assistant Chase Blackburn assumes a new role with a promotion. Expected to also fill the defensive coordinator position with an in-house promotion, current defensive line coach Eric Washington is expected to take over according to The Charlotte Observer.
Just as current Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott did last year, expect Wilks to persuade some others to join him in Arizona. Offensive line coach Ray Brown and linebacker coach Al Holcomb are prime candidates for Wilks to begin building his staff around.
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Offense, defense and special teams. The three phases of football, all with new leadership for Rivera and the Panthers entering next year.