Todd Wash is in his first season as defensive line coach for the Carolina Panthers in 2023, joining the team after holding the same position with the Detroit Lions the past two seasons. Wash brings 27 years of coaching experience, including 16 seasons in the NFL, to the staff.
In 2021 with Detroit, Wash helped rookie defensive end Aiden Hutchinson to become the first rookie and just the second defensive lineman in NFL history to produce 9.5 sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Hutchinson garnered NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month in three consecutive months (November, December & January), while earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week once in Week 11 of the season.
Wash came to Detroit following an eight-season (2013-20) stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including serving as the team's defensive coordinator his last five years.
In his five seasons (2016-20) as Jacksonville's defensive coordinator, the Jaguars allowed the third-fewest net passing yards (17,284) in the NFL, while tying for fifth in the league with 13 defensive touchdowns. Seven players earned a combined 10 total Pro Bowl nods as Jacksonville advanced to the 2017 AFC Championship game.
Prior to Jacksonville, Wash coached the Seattle Seahawks' defensive line for two years (2011-12), allowing the league's lowest passer rating (73.2) and third-fewest points per game (17.5) in that span.
Wash began his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coaching from 2007-10 as the team's defensive line coach.
Prior to the NFL, Wash spent 11 seasons with five different schools in the college ranks. He had two stints (2005-06; 2002-03) as the defensive line coach at his alma mater, North Dakota State, served as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Missouri Southern State in 2004 and worked as Nebraska-Kearney's defensive coordinator from 2000-01.
He began his coaching career at Fort Lewis College in 1996 as the team's defensive coordinator and was promoted to head coach/defensive coordinator for three seasons (1997-99).
A two-time All-North Central Conference outside linebacker at North Dakota State, Wash played on two national championship teams with the Bison in 1988 and 1990. He holds two degrees from NDSU, including a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's in athletic administration.
Wash and his wife, Darci, have two daughters, Alyssa and Jenae, and one son, Marcus. Darci was an All-America basketball player at NDSU and played on three national championship teams.
COACHING CAREER
1996-99 | Fort Lewis College | Head coach/defensive coordinator
2000-01 | Nebraska-Kearney | Defensive Coordinator
2002-03 | North Dakota State | Defensive Line
2003-04 | Missouri Southern State | Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2005-06 | North Dakota State | Defensive Line
2007 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive Quality Control
2008-10 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive Line
2011-12 | Seattle Seahawks | Defensive Line
2013-15 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
2016-20 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Defensive Coordinator
2021-22 | Detroit Lions | Defensive Line
2023-pres | Carolina Panthers | Defensive Line