Well, it looks like the pipeline to Carolina North is still open.
As first reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Buffalo Bills are set to hire Al Holcomb as a defensive assistant. Holcomb most recently served as the interim defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers through 12 games of the 2022 campaign.
The #Bills are hiring Al Holcomb as a senior defensive assistant, source says. Holcomb, who was the #Panthers’ interim defensive coordinator and assistant head coach under Steve Wilks, reunites with Sean McDermott, whom he worked alongside in Carolina.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 8, 2023
As Garafolo notes, Holcomb rejoins Bills head coach Sean McDermott—whom he worked under in Carolina for four seasons. Holcomb was hired as the Panthers’ linebackers coach in 2013 while McDermott was the team’s defensive coordinator.
Following a two-year hiatus between Arizona and Cleveland, Holcomb would return to Charlotte under new head coach Matt Rhule. He initially served as the defensive run game coordinator beginning in 2020.
But, after Rhule and righthand man Phil Snow were dismissed earlier this season, Holcomb took over the defense behind interim head coach Steve Wilks. Carolina’s defense went on to allow 3.4 fewer points per game under Holcomb’s watch to close out the year.
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