The Carolina Panthers have begun the search for their next special teams coordinator.
According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the team has requested permission to interview Seattle Seahawks assistant special teams coach Tracy Smith for their new opening. The position was made vacant earlier this evening with the Panthers reportedly choosing not to retain Chris Tabor for a third season.
Smith has 15 years of NFL coaching experience. In addition to Seattle, he has picked up stops in Cleveland, San Francisco, Oakland and Houston—where he was the special teams coordinator in 2020.
The Beaumont, Texas native shared a sideline with new Panthers head coach Dave Canales in 2021 and 2022, when Canales served as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Seahawks.
Along with Smith, the Panthers have also reportedly requested permission to speak with two candidates for their offensive coordinator job—Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach Brad Idzik and Philadelphia Eagles senior offensive assistant Marcus Brady.
