In the latest round of coaching changes in Charlotte, multiple sources confirmed on Thursday that former linebacker Chase Blackburn will take over as the Carolina Panthers’ special teams coordinator after the team opted not to extend the contract of Thomas McGaughey, who spent the last two seasons in the role, beyond 2017. McGaughey, who reportedly had the opportunity to sign a contract rollover before the 2017 season, has been with the team since February of 2016 and has been recently linked to former Panthers GM Dave Gettleman in New York.
Blackburn will lead a Panthers squad that ranked in the middle of the NFL pack in 2017 with notable game-changing special teams returns in Weeks 12 and 16. In addition — although he missed an early chip shot in the Panthers Wild Card loss to the Saints — kicker Graham Gano ranked at the top of the NFL in both kickoffs and field goal percentage, ultimately being named to the NFC’s Pro Bowl team.
Back on March 27th, 2013, Blackburn sent his final tweet to New York Giants fans thanking them for their support over his eight-year stint. He announced his new chapter as a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, joining former Giants Director of Pro Personnel Gettleman; after signing a two-year contract, Blackburn, a former schoolteacher, played a key part in Carolina’s defense in 2013. He shared the field with Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly and finished the season with 33 tackles; even though 2014 was his last year on the field, Blackburn never truly left the Panthers.
Photo Credit: Panthers.com
After going unsigned as a free agent during Carolina’s 2015 Super Bowl run, Blackburn was brought back as a special teams coaching intern in the summer of 2016. He worked as an assistant to the special teams coordinator under Thomas McGaughey, who took over for Bruce DeHaven during training camp. DeHaven sadly passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer in December 2016 after the illness forced him from the Panthers sidelines.
Blackburn, 34, played 10 seasons in the NFL and a key part in both New York Giants Super Bowl wins over the New England Patriots. This will be his first coordinator position.
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