Panthers expected to hire ACC assistant to offensive staff

Matt Rhule is looking towards the college ranks to fill out his staff with the Panthers. According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, Carolina is hiring Boston College assistant Joe Dailey as their next wide receivers coach.

“The Carolina Panthers are expected to hire Boston College’s Joe Dailey as wide receivers coach, sources tell @on3sports,” tweeted Zenitz. “Dailey, a former Nebraska and North Carolina QB, has been at BC the last two years after stops as an OC at New Mexico and Liberty.”

Since 2020, Dailey has been the wide receivers coach for Boston College. As Zenitz mentions, Dailey was the offensive coordinator at New Mexico and Liberty in stops prior. Originally, he received his start in coaching in 2008, joining Buffalo as a graduate assistant.

Before getting into coaching, Dailey was an impressive quarterback at both Nebraska and North Carolina. All in all, he threw for 3,458 yards and 26 touchdowns in his time with the two programs. Additionally, the former quarterback ran for 243 yards and five touchdowns, as well.

Now, Joe Dailey will attempt to get the most out of a Panthers offense that’s sputtered under Rhule’s watch. With immense talent in their wide receiving corps, the unit is set up for success at the position.

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Moreover, the Panthers added another coach from the college ranks in addition to Joe Dailey earlier in February, as the team hired former Missouri defensive coordinator and NFL head coach Steve Wilks to become the defensive backs coach, according to team press release. Wilks spent one season at Missouri under Eli Drinkwitz in 2021 but returns to the NFL with a familiar team.

Steve Wilks previously served the Carolina Panthers from 2012-2017 as a defensive backs coach and assistant head coach. He took the defensive coordinator position in 2017 and served one season before taking the Arizona Cardinals head coaching position.

Although he lasted just one season with the Cardinals, he immediately joined the Cleveland Browns as defensive coordinator in 2019. After taking a year off in 2020, he returned to the college ranks for the first time since 2005 and stayed for just one season.

As you can see, Matt Rhule is putting confidence in coaches who found success at the college ranks. Given his background, it’s no surprise to see him go that route. However, with the heat being turned up on his seat, Rhule has to hope his confidence isn’t misguided.