Panthers Hire Two More Assistants: DL & TEs

by Jaxon on Jan 31, 2011 9:10 PM EST in Panther News & Notes

As reported earlier today, the Panthers hired their WR coach Fred Graves. They have since added a coach for TEs, Pete Hoener:

Fred Graves, who coached Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith in college, has been named wide receivers coach. Pete Hoener, who recently coached San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis to a record-setting season, has been hired to coach the tight ends.

"We are very pleased to have Fred and Pete join our staff," Rivera said. "They bring an extensive coaching background and have developed a number of young receivers in the NFL. They are both highly regarded and will make a strong contribution to our offense."

They also hired Eric Washington to coach the defensive line...more discussion after the jump.

Hat Tip to Alex Helms and Jake Humphrey for being the first to break the news on CSR!

I don't know much about these guys but here's a couple excerpts from Panthers.com:

Hoener, 56, spent the last six seasons as tight ends coach for the 49ers. In 2009, Davis caught 13 touchdown passes for the 49ers, tying the NFL record for touchdowns by a tight end in a season. He also tied for the NFL lead in receiving touchdowns, the first tight end to accomplish that in the Super Bowl era.

It looks like they are giving a lot of credit to him for Vernon Davis' emergence. Seems I recall 49er fans lamenting how long it was taking for Davis to make an impact (but I'm not trying to be negative or anything).

Turning to DL coach Eric Washington I find it assuming who his recent pupil was, he of the Bears:

Washington, 41, helped the 2010 Bears rank fourth in the NFL in scoring defense (17.9 points per game) and ninth in total defense (314.3 yards per game). They also ranked No. 2 in rushing defense (90.1 yards per game).

It was Washington's first year as defensive line coach following two seasons as an assistant line coach. Before his time with the Bears, Washington coached Northwestern's defensive line from 2004-07 and spent three seasons at Ohio University in the same capacity prior to that.

"Eric brings youth and experience to our staff and is a good fit to work with our young defensive line," Rivera said. "He has coached on all levels of football, and we are pleased to have him on our staff."

Oh...and I heard he comes with a key endorsement:

Washington's 41, and has three years NFL experience. But former Panthers Julius Peppers is said to have vouched for his work, and that says something (speaking of cats who don't trust many people).

Rivera has definitely assembled a young staff. So what are your thoughts on these latest hires?

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Comments

With all these Hot Shot coaches I sure hope they don't screw up the draft.

by Cwilly1 on Jan 31, 2011 9:28 PM EST reply actions

I'll reserve judgement for until the season gets underway

On paper these seem like good hires but we’ll see

The thing I REALLY hate is that the Bengals will probably end up taking Cam Newton at #2. - SexBengals Fan

by DT3428 on Jan 31, 2011 9:35 PM EST reply actions

On Graves...

If the only reason we hired Fred Graves is because of his connection to Smith, that bothers me, quite a bit actually.

Coaches should be hired based on how much they can improve the team as a whole. not based on whether or not they’ll keep a single aging star happy. Not saying that is the case, but if it is color me a little dissatisfied.

by aceofsween on Jan 31, 2011 9:37 PM EST reply actions

It might be fun to speculate that that's why, but it isn't the case...

I can almost, 100% guarantee that; we have never hired a coach in order to “appease” a player, and will continue to not do so…hooray that Smitty likes him! He’s not the only WR who has apparently called Graves the best coach they’ve ever had (Kevin Dyson was the other Utah alum who said as much). But the idea that we hired him solely based on Smitty’s lobbying is asinine….

by Tomthehomer on Jan 31, 2011 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

This reason makes more sense: He’s been coaching WR’s (and some defensive positions really early on I think?) for the past 35 years, with the past 10 years being devoted to NFL jobs. Following a coach hiring strategy that we’ve pursued this offseason, we hired someone with massive experience, most likely to be followed by someone who is up and coming/potential (Rivera/Mcdermott, Matzko/Brown, Graves/very likely Ricky Proehl)…the hire makes a lot of sense actually

by Tomthehomer on Jan 31, 2011 9:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

THIS

by BEVE on Feb 1, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

That is my concern as well. As I said before, we need to hire the guy who will help the team as a whole, not just Steve Smith.

But I have faith that they would only hire him because they feel he is the best for the job.

Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader

by Ivan459 on Jan 31, 2011 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, it took four seasons for Davis to become elite.

Maybe that coach learned something, though, and can expedite the process with our team.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Jan 31, 2011 9:37 PM EST reply actions

Here's what Davis had to say about Hoener

49ers TE Vernon Davis said he credits 49ers tight ends coach Pete Hoener for his improvement as a pass catcher as well as run blocker. "He pushes me, always has. I like it. I like it when people test me. Because I’m a competitor. I like when people push me because I respond," Davis said. Hoener said that Davis is just starting to become a great player and can improve even more.

Sounds like a ringing endorsement to me.

Follow me on Twitter at @jakehbravesfan

by Jake Humphrey on Jan 31, 2011 10:35 PM EST up reply actions

What was he going to say, "Hoener stinks like squishy monkey projectiles"?

Most players say good things about their teammates and coaches, regardless of their true feelings. It should not have taken Davis four seasons for the game to click. Either Davis was not doing what his coach wanted, or the coach wasn’t doing right by Davis; maybe both. Regardless, the past is the past. People learn best by making mistakes. Hoener had two good seasons with Davis at the end there, and that’s what counts in my book. I’m fine with the hire. You don’t have to convince me.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Jan 31, 2011 10:51 PM EST up reply actions

Plus

he has the inputs and talents of Chud to work with as well. Together they have coached 2 of the best TE’s in the league the past couple of years so I’d say we are going see some real improvement at this position.

by BEVE on Feb 1, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

There is a very good reason Vernon Davis was non-existent his first few years in the NFL

The reason: Mike Martz.

He was the offensive coordinator during VD’s first three seasons. He was the 25th fantasy TE. First year after Martz left the organization, VD was the #2 TE in the league in some formats and #1 TE in some.

It’s all about the philosophy and how the TE is utilized.

Official ABC Fan Club President
Anybody But Clausen

by Jelly Wedge on Feb 1, 2011 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

And just for reference

Greg Olson’s numbers haven’t been too hot this year either. The Bear’s OC? Mike Martz.

Follow me on Twitter at @jakehbravesfan

by Jake Humphrey on Feb 1, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

excellent find, this makes me very optimistic about our TE usage next season

by ppalm on Feb 1, 2011 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

One thing that I'm pretty sure of,

with the hiring of Pete Hoener for the TE coaching position is that we’ll be drafting an athletic TE in the mold of Vernon Davis.

by Nick Webster on Jan 31, 2011 9:42 PM EST reply actions

Love all of the hires so far. And like James, I have a mild man crush on Rivera as well. I really think Rivera will be the one to deliver us a SB. I just have a feeling…

Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader

by Ivan459 on Jan 31, 2011 9:55 PM EST reply actions

you're not alone...

He seems extremely committed to making his philosophy a reality; I will be surprised if we don’t see success from Rivera…

by Tomthehomer on Jan 31, 2011 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

+100

Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader

by Ivan459 on Jan 31, 2011 10:52 PM EST up reply actions

Im thinking RR has a lot of respect inside the NFL community. These have been some solid hires all across the board. W/E he is selling must be good

"Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Fails To Work Hard" - Kevin Durant

by MMA_PITBULL on Feb 1, 2011 5:55 AM EST up reply actions

I agree...

I was just thinking that the NFL community must really know something about what’s going on in Carolina…There are a lot of coaches willing to leave where they are and take the same job just to be here…or in Meeks case..take a demotion just to be part of this team…I’m thinking that RR must have some serious pull..or believers..or both…It’s a little exciting ….

Now where's my REAL fans at?!

by UNCMattyt99 on Feb 1, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

yeah to basically take the same job on a team that just went 2-14 you’d have to think everybody involved believes RR is going to be a successful Coach. Talent here isn’t to bad either. I hope like hell there isn’t a lock out. I wanna see all these new coaches on the field. See how this staff is in action.

"Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Fails To Work Hard" - Kevin Durant

by MMA_PITBULL on Feb 2, 2011 9:09 AM EST up reply actions