Meeks hired as new DC

Meeks hired as coordinator
Posted by Darin at 1/26/2009 4:23 PM EST on Herald Online
The Carolina Panthers found their new defensive coordinator Monday, hiring Ron Meeks.
He replaces Mike Trgovac, who spurned their two-year extension offer to become the defensive line coach at Green Bay.
Meeks, 54, recently resigned from his post as Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator following Jim Caldwell’s taking over for former head coach Tony Dungy.
While the Colts have generally been known for their offense, his defenses have been more than solid during his time there.
Five times during his tenure, the Colts have finished seventh or better in points allowed, leading the league in 2007.
It will be interesting to see how his style meshes with head coach John Fox’s, as Meeks’ defensive lines have generally been populated by smaller, quicker linemen than the Panthers have employed.

 

CHARLOTTE -- Ron Meeks, whose defenses annually ranked among the NFL leaders in Indianapolis, was named defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Monday.
In his seven seasons as defensive coordinator of the Colts, Indianapolis finished in the top seven in points allowed five times. The Colts were seventh in points allowed last season while finishing 11th in yards allowed.
"We are very pleased to add Ron to our coaching staff as defensive coordinator," said head coach John Fox. "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."
Meeks joined the Colts in 2002 and helped Indianapolis move from 29th to eighth in total defense while jumping from 31st to seventh in scoring defense his first season. In 2007 the Colts led the league in scoring defense.
"This is a great opportunity," said Meeks. "I have followed the Panthers from my involvement in football and they have done a great job over the years. I expect to continue that success and will try to improve on what has been done."
In 2006, Meeks worked through injuries on a defense that peaked during a Super Bowl championship run, holding three of four postseason opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground.
Meeks, 54, began his coaching career with Dallas in 1991 as a defensive assistant before becoming secondary coach at Cincinnati from 1992-1996 and Atlanta from 1997-1999. He also spent a season in Washington (2000) and with the St. Louis Rams’ NFC Championship team in 2001 before going to Indianapolis as defensive coordinator.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Meeks started his coaching career at his alma mater of Arkansas State in 1984 and also coached at the University of Miami (1986-87), New Mexico State (1988), and Fresno State (1989-1990) before joining the Cowboys.

 

damn

 

I like it

 

Nothing special.

 

Me too. Maybe he can turn somebody into a Bob Sanders with his style.

 

I'm more curious about his relationship with Freeney and hopefully parlaying that into a happy Peppers. But a Bob Sanders would be bad-ass too no doubt.

 

Maybe he can help Jake play like Manning

 

Obviously, I'm waiting for Collin to tell me if I like it.

 

I pimped him as an option this afternoon. I don't think I meant him as a front runner, but his Ds have had good statistics and he is, in fact, the type guy who could fix our secondary problems. I'd still rather us stay c3 than try to be cover two.

Now go make some good assistant hires, fast. Board, especially.