Carolina Panthers lose two assistant coaches and hire a defensive line coach
Two assistant coaches for the Carolina Panthers left for similar positions with other teams, while the Panthers also found a new defensive line coach.
Frisman Jackson, who has served as the wide receivers coach for the Carolina Panthers the past two seasons, was hired for the same position with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, the team announced.
Jason Simmons, who also spent two seasons with the Panthers, is leaving for a job with the Raiders, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.
Both coaches were granted permission by Matt Rhule to interview for the jobs, as is the protocol in the NFL. Both had familiarity with coaches they are working with on their new staffs.
Meanwhile, the Panthers announced that they have hired Paul Pasqualoni, 72, to be the new defensive line coach. Pasqualoni has more than 40 years of coaching experience, and 10 years in the NFL, including stints with the Cowboys, Texans, Bears, Dolphins and Lions.
He was a head coach at Syracuse for 14 years.
His most recent position was special assistant to Florida Gators coach Dan Mullen for the past two years.
The Panthers have had a number of openings this offseason after firing their defensive line coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and special teams coordinator. The wide receivers coach is the latest opening.
Coach Matt Rhule hired the offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and special teams coordinator last month. Before Jackson and Simmons left, the defensive line coach was the final opening.
Now there are two.
Jackson’s time in Carolina
The Panthers’ receivers had success in 2020. DJ Moore, Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel all finished with career highs in receiving yards.
Anderson and Samuel had career-highs in catches, and all three finished with more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
Year 2 didn’t go as well. While Moore put up a career-high 93 catches for 1,157 yards and four touchdowns, Anderson’s numbers dropped significantly.
Coach Matt Rhule brought Jackson with him from Baylor, where he also coached the receivers for two seasons.
Jackson, who played in the league from 2002 to 2007, has been a coach since 2008, starting out at his alma mater Western Illinois. He was an assistant coach at N.C. State for two seasons (2013-14) before joining Rhule’s staff at Temple in 2015.
Jackson will once again coach under offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who was formerly the offensive coordinator with N.C. State from 2013-15.
His first season in the NFL was in 2017 with the Tennessee Titans as the wide receivers coach.
Simmons’ success
Defense was one of the Panthers strong suits this season, primarily because they were successful against the pass. The Panthers ranked fourth in the league in passing yards allowed per game (192.1).
Despite season-ending injuries to three cornerbacks, the Panthers secondary played well.
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore was voted as a first alternate to the Pro Bowl, and played in the game after he was named an injury replacement.
Simmons is joining Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who spent a season together with the Packers.
This story was originally published February 8, 2022 at 5:10 PM.
