COACHING
Defensive line coach Eric Washington was charged with mentoring a young group in 2011 that started three different rookies at defensive tackle. The unit, led by veteran defensive end Charles Johnson, responded to Washington by producing 25.5 of the team's 31 sacks. Johnson ranked first on the Panthers with nine sacks, while second-year defensive end Greg Hardy and undrafted rookie defensive end Thomas Keiser tied for second with four sacks each.
Washington brought a blend of youthful energy and abundant experience as a coach on the pro and college levels to the Panthers after spending 2008-10 with the Chicago Bears.
Elevated to defensive line coach in 2010, Washington presided over a group that accounted for 25 of the team's 34 sacks and helped the Bears rank ninth in the NFL in total defense, second in rushing defense and fourth in scoring defense. Along the defensive line, he coached Pro Bowler Julius Peppers and end Israel Idonije, who tied for the team lead with eight sacks each.
Washington worked the previous two seasons as Chicago's defensive assistant/assistant defensive line coach. He gained his first professional coaching experience by twice participating in the NFL's Minority Internship Program, assisting with the Bears defensive line under defensive coordinator Ron Rivera during training camp in 2005 and aiding the Atlanta Falcons linebackers during training camp in 2004.
From 2004-07, Washington served as the defensive line coach at Northwestern. With the Wildcats, he developed several pro prospects. End Luis Castillo was selected in the first round by the San Diego Chargers in 2005, and tackle Barry Cofield was chosen in the fourth round by the New York Giants in 2006. Washington also tutored end Corey Wootton, who garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition as a freshman and was drafted in the fourth round by the Bears in 2010.
Before his arrival at Northwestern, Washington oversaw the defensive line and kickoff coverage team at Ohio for three seasons from 2001-03. He began his college coaching career at Texas A&M as a graduate assistant in 1997.
PLAYING AND PERSONAL
Washington played tight end at Grambling State from 1989-90 for legendary head coach Eddie Robinson. He earned his degree in health and physical education with a minor in English from Grambling State.
Commissioned as a Naval Reserve Officer in 1998, Washington was assigned to the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I., where he served as the defensive coordinator of the football team for three years.
HISTORY
Tight end: Grambling State 1989-90. College coach: Texas A&M 1997, Ohio 2001-03, Northwestern 2004-07. Pro coach: Chicago Bears 2008-10, joined Panthers in 2011.
COACHING
Defensive line coach Eric Washington was charged with mentoring a young group in 2011 that started three different rookies at defensive tackle. The unit, led by veteran defensive end Charles Johnson, responded to Washington by producing 25.5 of the team's 31 sacks. Johnson ranked first on the Panthers with nine sacks, while second-year defensive end Greg Hardy and undrafted rookie defensive end Thomas Keiser tied for second with four sacks each.
Washington brought a blend of youthful energy and abundant experience as a coach on the pro and college levels to the Panthers after spending 2008-10 with the Chicago Bears.
Elevated to defensive line coach in 2010, Washington presided over a group that accounted for 25 of the team's 34 sacks and helped the Bears rank ninth in the NFL in total defense, second in rushing defense and fourth in scoring defense. Along the defensive line, he coached Pro Bowler Julius Peppers and end Israel Idonije, who tied for the team lead with eight sacks each.
Washington worked the previous two seasons as Chicago's defensive assistant/assistant defensive line coach. He gained his first professional coaching experience by twice participating in the NFL's Minority Internship Program, assisting with the Bears defensive line under defensive coordinator Ron Rivera during training camp in 2005 and aiding the Atlanta Falcons linebackers during training camp in 2004.
From 2004-07, Washington served as the defensive line coach at Northwestern. With the Wildcats, he developed several pro prospects. End Luis Castillo was selected in the first round by the San Diego Chargers in 2005, and tackle Barry Cofield was chosen in the fourth round by the New York Giants in 2006. Washington also tutored end Corey Wootton, who garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition as a freshman and was drafted in the fourth round by the Bears in 2010.
Before his arrival at Northwestern, Washington oversaw the defensive line and kickoff coverage team at Ohio for three seasons from 2001-03. He began his college coaching career at Texas A&M as a graduate assistant in 1997.
PLAYING AND PERSONAL
Washington played tight end at Grambling State from 1989-90 for legendary head coach Eddie Robinson. He earned his degree in health and physical education with a minor in English from Grambling State.
Commissioned as a Naval Reserve Officer in 1998, Washington was assigned to the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I., where he served as the defensive coordinator of the football team for three years.
HISTORY
Tight end: Grambling State 1989-90. College coach: Texas A&M 1997, Ohio 2001-03, Northwestern 2004-07. Pro coach: Chicago Bears 2008-10, joined Panthers in 2011.
