Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
CHARLOTTE ó The Panthers have hired Mike Shula as quarterbacks coach, a key position as Carolina tries to turn around the NFL’s worst offense under new coach Ron Rivera.
The 45-year-old son of former Miami coach Don Shula was hired on Friday. He spent the past four seasons as QBs coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he oversaw the development of David Garrard.
BILLS
BUFFALO, N.Y.ó Dave Wannstedt is back in the NFL after being hired to be the Buffalo Billsí assistant head coach in a job that reunites him with good friend and colleague Chan Gailey.
The Bills announced the hiring on Friday after the two sides met for most of the day to negotiate the contract.
Wannstedt returns to the NFL after spending the past six years coaching the University of Pittsburgh, where he was forced to resign last month.
He spent four-plus seasons as the Miami Dolphins head coach before being fired midway through the 2004 season. He also spent six seasons ó from 1993-98 ó as the Chicago Bears head coach.
Wannstedt is a defensive specialist and will help oversee a defense that struggled last season. The Billsí defense was last in the NFL against the run, allowing 2,714 yards rushing ó the second-highest total in franchise history. Buffalo allowed 200 yards eight times last season.
BROWNS
CLEVELAND ó Browns coach Pat Shurmur joked about his defense at his introductory news conference. But he hired someone serious to run it.
Shurmur called on former NFL head coach Dick Jauron as his defensive coordinator Friday, a well respected 60-year-old, who spent last season as Philadelphia’s secondary coach.