The Carolina Panthers have hired Eric Washington, an assistant coach with the Chicago Bears the last three seasons, as their new defensive line coach.

Washington spent two seasons as the Bears assistant defensive line coach before being promoted to the team’s defensive line coach last season.

“Eric brings youth and experience to our staff and is a good fit to work with our young defensive line,” said head coach Ron Rivera. “He has coached on all levels of football and we are pleased to have him on our staff.”

Prior to joining the Bears, Washington spent four seasons at Northwestern as the Wildcats defensive line coach, where he played a role in the development of NFL players DT Barry Cofield and DE Luis Castillo.

Washington began his college coaching career at Texas A&M as a graduate assistant in 1997 and served as an assistant coach at Ohio University from 2001-03, working with the defensive line and kickoff coverage teams.

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Washington played college football at Grambling under legendary head coach Eddie Robinson.

Washington is the fourth member of the Panthers defensive staff, joining coordinator Sean McDermott, secondary coach Ron Meeks, and defensive quality control and assistant defensive line coach Sam Mills.