Carolina Panthers fire two defensive coaches

Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The Carolina Panthers have fired defensive line coach Brady Hoke and assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura.

Carolina announced the coaching changes on Monday. Panthers coach Ron Rivera will handle play-calling duties while Eric Washington will oversee the defensive front seven.

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

"In my judgment, I felt this was best for the team moving forward," Rivera said in a news release.

"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."   The Panthers have lost four consecutive games, including Sunday's 24-17 setback to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Carolina battles the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Cleveland.