Carolina Panthers Hire Two Defensive Coaches

On Tuesday, the Panthers brought in Richard Smith to coach the linebackers on defense, and Ron Milus, who will coach the secondary alongside Mike Gillhamer.

Smith has a long history of coaching at the NFL level, beginning his coaching career in 1998 with the Houston Oilers for five years, then with the Denver Broncos from 1993 to 1996. 

For the last three seasons he has worked as the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, and in 2005 worked in the same area with the Miami Dolphins. In 2003 and 2004 Smith was the assistant head coach/linebackers for the Detroit Lions.

From 1997-2002, Smith was employed by the San Francisco 49ers as their linebackers coach. During that time, he coached four players who were named to the Pro Bowl. They include: Ken Norton, Jr. and Lee Woodall in 1997, Winfred Tubbs in '98, and Julian Peterson in 2002.

"Richard is a veteran coach who has experience with all phases of defense as a coordinator and has excelled as a linebackers coach," said head coach John Fox. "Ron has had success as a secondary coach for the last decade and is an outstanding teacher. We are pleased to have them joining our staff."

Ron Milus began coaching in the NFL after one season as defensive backs coach at Texas A&M in 1999.

Milus has worked with four different NFL teams' secondaries, most recently having coached the Rams' secondary from 2006 to 2008.

Before being a member of the Rams' coaching staff, Milus coached defensive backs for the Denver Broncos from 2000 to 2002, the Arizona Cardinals in 2003, and the New York Giants for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Smith will replace Ken Flajole, who was named to the defensive coordinator position of the St. Louis Rams, while Milus replaces Tim Lewis who became the Seattle Seahaks' defensive backs coach.