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Published: Friday, Jan. 25, 2013 / Updated: Friday, Jan. 25, 2013 09:09 PM

Panthers hire Al Holcomb as LB coach

Carolina Panthers hire Al Holcomb as linebackers coach

After a week of in-house promotions and familiar hirings, the Panthers have tabbed New York Giants defensive assistant Al Holcomb as the new linebackers coach, a source confirmed Friday evening.

Holcomb interviewed with the team on Thursday, and he's the third known candidate to have interviewed for the position vacated when Warren Belin was fired earlier this month. The hire was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Holcomb is the first Panthers' position coach hired in the past two weeks who did not have ties to the organization. The offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, special teams coordinator and receivers coach were all promoted from within the club. Jim Skipper, the team's former running backs coach, was brought back last week after being fired by the Titans.

Former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and former Panthers linebacker coach Bill Davis were also interviewed for the job.

Holcomb has never been a position coach in the NFL. He was a low-level assistant for four seasons with the Giants, the organization with which new Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman spent a decade and a half.

He inherits a linebacking corps that includes Jon Beason, Thomas Davis, James Anderson and Luke Kuechly, who led the league in tackles in the 2012 season.