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Panthers Reportedly Hiring Coach Who Took 2024 Season Off

By Joe Summers

Dec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales reacts in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Dec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales reacts in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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With the NFL's coaching cycle mostly starting to settle, the Carolina Panthers are adding new voices to their staff in an effort to avoid the mistakes of this season. Dave Canales has built an encouraging foundation though there are still improvements that need to be made across the board as the Panthers hope to compete for a playoff spot.

Bryce Young made strides in the second half of the campaign to offer some hope. That said, the defense ranked dead last in opponent yards per play (6.0) and features little difference-makers outside of Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Knowing that the defense needs reinforcements, Canales is reportedly adding former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill to the staff.

Panthers Add Former Chargers DC Renaldo Hill to Defensive Coaching Staff

Joe Person of The Athletic reported that Hill's title hasn't been finalized though noted that Carolina has an opening at safeties coach.

Hill took 2024 off of coaching but has spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers as well as several college programs. He was in the NFL from 2001-2010 as a safety, playing for four teams.

His most recent coaching gig was as the defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Dolphins in 2023. That season, Miami ranked 15th in opponent yards per pass (6.6). That's virtually league average, though it'd represent a major upgrade over Carolina's 7.2 yards per pass allowed in 2024 (29th in NFL).

From a talent perspective, Carolina's front office has its work cut out for them. Horn is a solid player but the safeties leave much to be desired. Starter Jordan Fuller graded 135th out of 170 qualified safeties at Pro Football Focus, while his counterpart Xavier Woods was 125th.

Rebuilding the secondary is a top priority for the team in the coming months. Here's hoping they get the right players in the building and that Hill can oversee the necessary improvement.

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