Panthers hire Colts' Meeks as defensive coordinator
January 27
Charlotte Observer
"The Carolina Panthers began piecing together their defensive coaching staff Monday, naming Ron Meeks their defensive coordinator.
Meeks, who helped Indianapolis to the 2006 Super Bowl championship as the Colts' defensive coordinator, replaces Mike Trgovac, who resigned last week after the Panthers' defense struggled through the second half of a season which ended with a lopsided playoff loss against the Arizona Cardinals.
Meeks, 54, was on the market when he, too, resigned last week after Colts head coach Tony Dungy retired. It was uncertain whether new Colts coach Jim Caldwell would have retained Meeks.
"We are very pleased to add Ron to our coaching staff," said Panthers coach John Fox in a statement. "He is an outstanding teacher, who has enjoyed great success as a coordinator in the league and brings a strong background of coaching championship defenses."
One of Meeks' first duties will be to help Fox and general manager Marty Hurney hire three other defensive coaches. Assistants Sal Sunseri (line), Ken Flajole (linebackers) and Tim Lewis (secondary) had already resigned before Trgovac.
Meeks' defenses at Indianapolis have been led by spectacular players (including end Dwight Freeney and safety Bob Sanders) and have often been among the NFL's best. In 2007, the season after the Colts won the Super Bowl, Indianapolis led the league in scoring defense and was third in total yardage allowed. In Meeks' seven seasons in Indianapolis, the Colts finished in the league's top seven in points allowed five times.
But there have been holes. This past season, the Colts were 24th in rushing yards allowed, but seventh in points allowed (18.6) and 11th in yards allowed (310.9)."
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