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Following fourth straight loss, Panthers make changes on defensive staff

Brady Hoke and Jeff Imamura (Source: Carolina Panthers)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fresh off the team’s fourth consecutive defeat, the Carolina Panthers announced Monday that they have relieved defensive line coach Brady Hoke and assistant secondary and cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura of their duties.

[READ MORE: Panthers drop fourth straight, lose to Buccaneers, 24-17]

The team said head coach Ron Rivera will continue to work with the defense and will handle play-calling duties while Eric Washington will oversee the defensive front seven. Washington was the team's defensive line coach before being promoted to coordinator this past offseason.

[IMAGES: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Sam Mills III will lead the defensive line and Rivera will work with Richard Rodgers in the secondary.

The moves were announced after Rivera met with new owner David Tepper and general manager Marty Hurney on Monday morning.

“In my judgment, I felt this was best for the team moving forward,” Rivera said. “These are always difficult decisions, and I thank Brady and Jeff for their hard work. Ultimately, I’m charged with putting the team in the best position to succeed, and I felt these moves were necessary in order to do that.”

Rivera, a former defensive coordinator in Chicago and San Diego, "helped out" with defensive play calls on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

The Panthers lost 24-17 in Tampa on Sunday, their fourth loss in a row, and are now 6-6 on the season.

Channel 9 anchor Paul Boyd attended Monday's tense news conference and pressed Rivera about his job and if it's on the line as the losses mount.

"David Tepper is your boss," Boyd said. "With all due respect, did he put you on notice or given you any ultimatum?"

"No, I'm not going to talk about what Mr. Tepper and I talk about," Rivera quickly responded. "Quite honestly, if you know Mr. Tepper, that's not your style. Very upfront, very forward. And again, I've been very fortunate to have a good collaboration with him, myself and my general manager."

The Panthers have been to the playoffs four of the past five seasons under Rivera, who signed a two-year contract extension worth $15.5 million in January that runs through 2020.

The Panthers are 14th in the league in defense under Washington and have allowed the 12th most points in the NFL. Carolina's defense, long known for its knack for creating takeaways and pressuring the quarterback, has forced just one turnover in the past four games and is tied for 19th in the league in sacks.

"In watching and looking, this puts me in the middle of everything as far as the defense is concerned," Rivera said. "I have a bit of experience at play calling and putting defenses together. It's an opportunity for me to work even closer with him to help him out as we go forward. Y'all got to remember your first time doing something. You weren't perfect and somebody had to help you. That's really what I'm here for."

The Panthers travel to Cleveland to face the Browns this Sunday.

He briefly addressed reports that Tepper is getting antsy and mulling new hires if Rivera didn't get things turned around.

"I'm not going to deal in conjecture," Rivera said. "What I'm going to deal with is the facts. Until I see a comment that has his name attached to it being quoted, I'm not worry about it. I'm going to focus in on my job, and my job is getting ready for Cleveland."

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