The Carolina Panthers have hired 18-year assistant NFL coach Jim Hostler as the team's new wide receivers coach.
Hostler spent last season as the Green Bay Packers passing game coordinator and has also spent time as a wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach throughout his time in the NFL.
In 2006, Hostler was on the same staff as Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner in San Francisco.
"Great respect for Norv," Hostler said in a Panthers press release. "He keeps up with the times, he's innovative, he's got a great reputation. He's a great guy to work for."
As a wide receivers coach, Hostler spent the 2015 season with the Indianapolis Colts and guided receiver T.Y. Hilton to his second Pro-Bowl selection after a third-straight 1,000 yard receiving season.
Hostler also spent six seasons as wide receivers coach with the Baltimore Ravens where he was a part of Baltimore's Super Bowl XLVII win. The Ravens receivers combined for 3,996 receiving yards that year which was second most in franchise history.
Current Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith was coached by Hostler during the Super Bowl run in Baltimore and averaged 17.2 yards per catch from the 2011-13 seasons.
"Obviously I worked with Torrey in the past. I like the balance of young guys and veterans. Looking forward to working with all of them," Hostler said."
Hostler replaces Lance Taylor in Carolina and will inherit young Panthers receivers DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel who both became big playmakers this past season.
The Panthers only vacant coaching position remaining is an assistant special teams coach.
"I'm excited about the group. I studied DJ Moore last year when he was coming out. He was high on my list and I'm excited to work with him," Hostler said. "I've watched tape of Curtis Samuel and he's got a lot of skill. Hell of an athlete.