Luke Kuechly shocked the NFL world when he chose to suddenly retire from the Carolina Panthers after eight seasons with the franchise. But with Kuechly mulling his options for after football, Matt Rhule is lobbying for Kuechly to join his coaching staff, per Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio.
.@Panthers HC Matt Rhule told Bill Polian, @CoachNeuheisel & me on @SiriusXMNFL that he hopes Luke Kuechly at some point will rejoin the @Panthers as a coach. Luke was already in the building post-retirement watching film with Matt's staff
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 23, 2020
Shortly after the season concluded, the Panthers decided to hire Rhule as their next head coach. Rhule spent the past three years at Baylor as the program's head coach.
As the offseason approaches, Rhule is gradually assembling his coaching staff. With spots still being open, Rhule is hoping to convince Kuechly to begin his coaching career in the near future by staying with the Panthers
When Kuechly retired, many began to wonder what the All-Pro linebacker was going to do post-retirement. Then, just days after his emotional decision to hang up his cleats, it was reported that Kuechly could have an interest in coaching.
During his playing career, Kuechly racked up 1,092 tackles, 12.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, 66 deflections, and 18 interceptions. In his eight years in the NFL, all with the Panthers, Kuechly consistently produced gaudy numbers at the linebacker position.
Given that, it would be safe to assume that Kuechly would likely coach linebackers or something pertaining to the defense. However, it remains to be seen if the 28-year-old linebacker is prepared to begin coaching the same year that he retired as a player.
Even as a first-year head coach in the NFL, Rhule understands the importance of developing a winning culture. What better person to add to the coaching staff besides the one who led the locker room for eight years. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that Kuechly would be a perfect hire in Carolina as a coach.
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