SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- A hot Sunday practice in which tempers flared was followed by the sobering news that Carolina Panthers special teams coordinator Bruce DeHaven has stepped down to resume his fight against prostate cancer.
DeHaven, 67, has returned to his home in Buffalo, New York, to undergo treatments. He will remain a special teams advisor, with Thomas McGaughey promoted to special teams coordinator and Chase Blackburn to his assistant.
McGaughey joined the Panthers as assistant special teams coach in February, so Carolina was prepared for a situation like this.
Coach Ron Rivera said DeHaven approached him a few days ago about making the transition.