Steve Wilks, as he has said countlessly, wasn’t alone in resurrecting the Carolina Panthers this past season. Some credit should also go to his defensive coordinator Al Holcomb—who’s apparently made an impression within the NFC South.
As first reported by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons have requested permission to hold an interview with Holcomb for their defensive coordinator position. The job opened up this past week, when the 73-year-old Dean Pees announced his retirement from the post.
Falcons requested permission to interview Panthers’ defensive coordinator Al Holcomb, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2023
In addition to his clean-up work in 2022, Holcomb possesses prior experience as a defensive coordinator from the 2018 campaign—when he joined Wilks with the Arizona Cardinals. He was also, similarly to his role in Carolina this past season, an assistant head coach with the red birds under Wilks.
Holcomb took over the reins this year following the dismissal of head coach Matt Rhule and his right-hand man Phil Snow. Of the 12 games in which Holcomb headed the defense, five resulted in an output of 15 points or fewer for Carolina’s opponents.
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