The Panthers are undergoing a major rebuild both on the field and in the front office. Not all of the new pieces will be unfamiliar, though. According to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, the team is bringing back former linebackers coach Al Holcomb to be their new defensive run game coordinator.
Holcomb coached Carolina’s linebackers from 2013-2017 then spent one season as Steve Wilks’ defensive coordinator with the Cardinals. Last year he was the Browns’ linbebackers coach and run game coordinator.
No assistant may face a more difficult task than Holcomb: namely how to turn around what was a historically bad run defense unit.
The Panthers allowed their opponents to average 143.5 rushing yards per game this year. Only three teams gave up more. Worse, they allowed 31 rushing touchdowns – tying the single-season record after the merger. Carolina was ranked last in run defense DVOA for the season.
As for the rest of the defensive staff, Phil Snow is expected to be named the defensive coordinator and Mike Phair will be the defensive line coach.
