GETTING TO KNOW THE NEW COACHES

Panthers round out their 2024 coaching staff

CHARLOTTE— The Carolina Panthers have filled out their coaching staff for the 2024 season. General manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales, on Thursday, announced the hirings of five new coaches, as well as a football support staff member. They are as follows:

Will Harriger: Quarterbacks

Nathan Carroll: Pass game coordinator

Pat McPherson: Tight ends

Keli'i Kekuewa: Assistant offensive line

Daren Bates: Special teams assistant

Scott Cooper: Director of coaching development

Harriger began his career on the defensive side of the ball, and spent 10 seasons coaching at the college level. In 2014, Harriger made the jump to the NFL, transitioning to the offensive side of the ball. He spent five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, including two years alongside Canales as assistant quarterbacks coach. Harriger then went on to spend two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons in various roles, including running backs coach. The 2021 season was spent with Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars, before Harriger joined the USC Trojans staff, working with quarterbacks, including Caleb Williams, for 2022. He spent 2023 with the Dallas Cowboys as an offensive assistant/quality control.

Carroll is the son of legendary Seahawks coach, Pete Carroll. He first joined his dad's staff in 2011 and was moved to the offensive side of the ball in 2013. Since then, he's risen through the ranks on the offensive staff, working with Canales at one point as the assistant wide receivers coach.

McPherson has been coaching in the NFL since 1996. He spent one year in '96 in quality control/defense with the San Francisco 49ers. Since then, he's spent his time with just two other teams; the Denver Broncos (1998-2008) and the Seattle Seahawks (2010-2023). His entire time with the Seahawks, McPherson served as the tight ends coach.

Keli'i Kekuewa is a Bowling Green product, who went on to coach in the college ranks, before joining the NFL. He joined the Seahawks as an offensive assistant before moving to assistant offensive line coach in 2021.

Bates is an Auburn alumni and longtime linebacker in the NFL. He first signed with the St. Louis Rams in 2013 and last played with the Falcons in 2021. Bates joined the Seahawks staff in 2023 as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.

In addition to the new faces, Canales has also retained 13 assistants including the entire defensive staff, led by coordinator Ejiro Evero. The following are those returning to their positions:

Ejiro Evero: Defensive coordinator

Dom Capers: Senior defensive assistant

Jim Caldwell: Senior assistant

Todd Wash: Defensive line

Bert Watts: Secondary/Safeties

Jonathan Cooley: Secondary/Cornerbacks

Peter Hansen: Inside linebackers

Tem Lukabu: Outside linebackers

DeAngelo Hall: Assistant defensive backs

Mayur Chaudhari: Defensive assistant

Bobby Maffei: Defensive QC

Mike Bercovici: Offensive assistant

George Li: Game management coordinator

In addition to the entire defensive staff staying in Charlotte, the club also previously announced the hirings of Brad Idzik as offensive coordinator and Tracy Smith as special teams coordinator, as well as four offensive coaches:

Harold Goodwin: Assistant head coach/run game coordinator

Bernie Parmalee: Running backs

Rob Moore: Wide receivers

Joe Gilbert: Offensive line

Not sure why we need Caldwell...unless he is Tepper's last remaining mole.

Not sure why we need Caldwell...unless he is Tepper's last remaining mole.

Not sure of course, but I would guess it might be Eviro's decision (OR maybe Canales.?). The entire process seems to be a clean sweep on the Offensive side. AND, to leave the Defense completely alone. Caldwell's position says "Senior Assistant" not 'Defensive..'... Yet, who knows.??. Currently, he's shown separately as "Senior Staff" ----- Not sure what that means, or IF there could be any allegiance there. Originally he was a Reich man, having worked alongside and for Reich. His original job was to be a "Senior Assistant" working with Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.
It would seem "strange" to have a Reich protege as an undercover guy... 

Here is an article describing "situational stuff" when Reich, Caldwell, and Capers were hired. This is a quote, dated 2-14-2023, of an AP (Associated Press) lead. I have no sense of when the original AP lead was generated.

SIOUXLANDProud: Quoting AP Lead: Reich; Capers; Caldwell, etc.

So trying to look at the positive side of things......

I never have been impressed by Caldwell.  Now, I admit...that is not positive....but there is more.....

Caldwell is at least an experienced head coach.  My guess is that our young new HC will appreciate having that voice of experience to lean on.

I remember Rivera saying that he regretted not having a former HC on his staff when he wa a new HC.

So Caldwell does bring that and I would have to agree that experience seems very valuable.Would not want to leave Cananles out there on a limb without someone to bring the ladder.

So trying to look at the positive side of things......

I never have been impressed by Caldwell.  Now, I admit...that is not positive....but there is more.....

Caldwell is at least an experienced head coach.  My guess is that our young new HC will appreciate having that voice of experience to lean on.

I remember Rivera saying that he regretted not having a former HC on his staff when he wa a new HC.

So Caldwell does bring that and I would have to agree that experience seems very valuable.Would not want to leave Cananles out there on a limb without someone to bring the ladder.

Would be a very good reason to have kept Caldwell around.  I've not been impressed with him, either, but resources are resources, and experience is a valuable one.