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Brady Hoke goes pro for the first time in his career

By Brandon Scott

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 29: Defensive coordinator Brady Hoke of the Oregon Ducks yells out from the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Autzen Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 29: Defensive coordinator Brady Hoke of the Oregon Ducks yells out from the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Autzen Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers hired former collegiate head coach Brady Hoke to lead their defensive line…

As the Carolina Panthers continue filling their coaching vacancies, coach Ron Rivera and new defensive coordinator Eric Washington have reportedly enlisted the services of former Michigan coach Brady Hoke.

Hoke most recently served as the defensive line coach for Tennessee, taking over for Butch Jones as interim head coach after the latter was fired in November. In two games, Hoke lost 30-10 to No. 21 LSU and 42-24 against rival Vanderbilt.

The now former collegiate coach is making his debut on the professional level as the Panthers defensive line coach under Rivera and Washington. He fills the role vacated by Washington’s promotion to the coordinator role, taking over one of the most dominant personnel groups on the team.

Despite playing linebacker in college, Hoke has spent a majority of his time on the sideline coaching the defensive front. In fact, at every stop along his career except Toledo (1987-1989), Hoke either coached the defensive line, served as defensive coordinator or was the head coach.

He began at Yorktown High School in 1981 before moving to the college ranks at Grand Valley State just two years later. From there Hoke began to escalate his involvement with opportunities at Western Michigan, Toledo, Oregon State and Michigan before his first head coaching job at his alma mater Ball State University.

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Hoke would later return to lead Michigan after a brief stint at San Diego State but was fired after just four seasons. Since, he was the defensive coordinator at Oregon for one year before landing at Tennessee and now jumping into the NFL with the Panthers.

His new position group is loaded with talent and depending on upcoming decisions regarding defensive ends Julius Peppers, Charles Johnson and tackle Star Lotulelei, could look much the same next year.

Behind those are impact players Kawann Short and Mario Addison in addition to a lot of young talent in need of more development and opportunity. If Hoke can tap into some production for guys like Vernon Butler, Bryan Cox Jr. and Daeshon Hall, he will be a welcome addition to the Panthers coaching staff.

Next: 2018 Divisional Opponents Preview

With 37 years experience in other areas, the 59-year old Hoke has decided to try his hand on the professional level for the first time.

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