CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — The athletic trainer who gave on-field CPR to Bills safety Damar Hamlin in 2023 is now working for the Panthers.
The team has hired former Bills associate athletic trainer Denny Kellington as the new vice president of player health and performance. He was among several new hires the team announced Thursday.
Panthers officials say Kellington played a role in saving Hamlin’s life two seasons ago, when he began performing CPR during a Monday Night Football game on Jan. 2, 2023.
“All the attention I’ve received for simply doing my job has been overwhelming,” Kellington said that spring while giving the commencement address at his alma mater, Oklahoma State. “I’ve said repeatedly that I am not a hero, but I will tell you what I was that day, I was ready.”
Kellington will oversee the athletic training, strength and conditioning, nutrition and sports science staff. His hire continues a long trend of the Panthers and Bills exchanging coaches and staff. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott was Carolina’s defensive coordinator from 2011-2016 under head coach Ron Rivera.
The Panthers also hired former Vikings strength coach Josh Hingst as their new director of performance.
Here are other changes to the coaching staff for the 2025-26 season:
- Renaldo Hill, secondary coach,
- AC Carter, outside linebackers coach,
- Keyshawn Colmon offensive assistant, and
- Kevin Peterson, defensive assistant.
Additionally, three current staffers have new titles now: Offensive assistant Mike Bercovici is now assistant quarterbacks coach and pass game specialist, Mayur Chaudhari is now assistant linebackers coach and Jim Caldwell is now the senior coaching advisor.
Last year, the defensive staff remained in tact despite having a new head coach and general manger, while wholesale changes were made offensively under Dave Canales.