The Carolina Panthers are adding more experience to their coaching staff with the latest addition being a former Detroit Lions staffer.
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports the Panthers are hiring former Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell as their associate head coach. Bevell, 56, will also carry the additional title of offensive specialist, and he joins the Panthers after spending the previous three seasons as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.
Bevell heading to Carolina marks a reunion with Panthers coach Dave Canales. During Bevell’s time as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks (2011-2017), Canales worked under him as the Seahawks’ wide receivers coach. Together, they were a part of Pete Caroll’s Super Bowl XLVIII-winning staff.
After the Seahawks fired Bevell in 2018, he spent a year away from the NFL before returning in 2019 as the Lions’ offensive coordinator under Matt Patricia.
When the Lions fired Patricia during the 2020 season, Bevell became interim head coach, finishing 1-4, including a debut win: a 34-30 comeback at Chicago.
Following the Lions’ regime and coaching staff overhaul during the 2021 offseason, Bevell left Detroit and became the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2021 season. Later that year, he assumed the interim head coaching role after the Jaguars dismissed Urban Meyer in December 2021.
Bevell, who recently interviewed for the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator position, also served in the same role with the Minnesota Vikings.