During the week that the Michigan Panthers have seen 6 players get drafted by the XFL, and 4 players released, the Panthers now will see Defensive Coordinator Dan Carrel depart from the team. Per Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports, and Brandon Dunn of WPDE ABC15 Dan Carrel has agreed to leave the USFL and accept a job with the Chanticleers as the Linebackers/ Co-Defensive Coordinator.

Carrel accepts the position and return to the college ranks for his 11th year in coaching. Starting from his days as an intern at Ohio State and Kentucky, Carrel has served as a Linebackers coach for three teams until earning a promotion to Defensive Coordinator with the Michigan Panthers in 2022.

Carrel’s defense displayed less than stellar results, for the first-time coordinator. The underachieving defense was last in points allowed and stayed in the bottom half of the league regarding interceptions and sacks. Carrel’s tenure as the Defensive Coordinator should be looked in vain as he saw the successful transition of Panthers stalwart’s TJ Carter, Tino Ellis, and Jameson Houston all successfully garner NFL contracts, which seemingly was assisted by Carrel’s leadership.

While it can be viewed as negative to see Carrel go, the Panthers defense is in need of improvement. With a defense that is in clear need of reshaping, it looks like Head Coach Jeff Fisher could take a more involved role with the team. With less than three months left until the USFL starts, Michigan Panthers fans will be curious to see who is leading the Defensive side of the ball come April.