COACHING
Defensive quality control/assistant defensive line coach Sam Mills III worked with defensive line coach Eric Washington in 2011 on a group that accounted for 25.5 of the team's 31 sacks. Veteran defensive end Charles Johnson led the team with nine, and young players received valuable experience as three rookies started games at defensive tackle.
Mills added assistant defensive line coach to his title along with his responsibilities as the Panthers' defensive quality control coach prior to the 2011 season, though he actually has been working with the defensive line since 2006.
In 2010, Mills helped Johnson become the fifth player in team history to collect 10 or more sacks in a season with 11.5. The previous year, he contributed to a rejuvenated Panthers defensive line that produced 24.5 of the team's 31 sacks.
After spending the 2005 season in a dual role as a strength and conditioning and defensive assistant, Mills was promoted to defensive quality control coach in 2006. On game day, Mills is in the coaching booth and records all plays for the defense to help determine game tendencies. However, his day does not end when the game ends. Mills immediately seizes a play-by-play and charts what happened in every situation for the Carolina defense.
During the week, Mills aids Washington at practice and in meetings. He also oversees tape breakdown for statistical tendencies and assists in game-plan preparation as well as the planning and production of the defensive play book.
Mills is no stranger to the organization as his position on the coaching staff is the culmination of his path as a youth. His father, Sam, is the only Panthers player to have his number retired and is the only player inducted into the team's Hall of Honor. When his father played for the Panthers, Mills worked as a ball boy at training camp and later in the equipment room before joining the strength and conditioning program.
PLAYING AND PERSONAL
Mills followed in his father's footsteps by playing at Montclair (N.J.) State, where the elder Mills was an NCAA Division II All-America at linebacker. He started 20 games in two seasons at defensive back for the Red Hawks and totaled 71 tackles, two interceptions, 14 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
HISTORY
Defensive back: Monclair State 1997-1999. Pro coach: Joined Panthers in 2005.
COACHING
Defensive quality control/assistant defensive line coach Sam Mills III worked with defensive line coach Eric Washington in 2011 on a group that accounted for 25.5 of the team's 31 sacks. Veteran defensive end Charles Johnson led the team with nine, and young players received valuable experience as three rookies started games at defensive tackle.
Mills added assistant defensive line coach to his title along with his responsibilities as the Panthers' defensive quality control coach prior to the 2011 season, though he actually has been working with the defensive line since 2006.
In 2010, Mills helped Johnson become the fifth player in team history to collect 10 or more sacks in a season with 11.5. The previous year, he contributed to a rejuvenated Panthers defensive line that produced 24.5 of the team's 31 sacks.
After spending the 2005 season in a dual role as a strength and conditioning and defensive assistant, Mills was promoted to defensive quality control coach in 2006. On game day, Mills is in the coaching booth and records all plays for the defense to help determine game tendencies. However, his day does not end when the game ends. Mills immediately seizes a play-by-play and charts what happened in every situation for the Carolina defense.
During the week, Mills aids Washington at practice and in meetings. He also oversees tape breakdown for statistical tendencies and assists in game-plan preparation as well as the planning and production of the defensive play book.
Mills is no stranger to the organization as his position on the coaching staff is the culmination of his path as a youth. His father, Sam, is the only Panthers player to have his number retired and is the only player inducted into the team's Hall of Honor. When his father played for the Panthers, Mills worked as a ball boy at training camp and later in the equipment room before joining the strength and conditioning program.
PLAYING AND PERSONAL
Mills followed in his father's footsteps by playing at Montclair (N.J.) State, where the elder Mills was an NCAA Division II All-America at linebacker. He started 20 games in two seasons at defensive back for the Red Hawks and totaled 71 tackles, two interceptions, 14 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
HISTORY
Defensive back: Monclair State 1997-1999. Pro coach: Joined Panthers in 2005.
