Jacobs makes his coaching debut after concluding an eight-year playing career (2011-18), including his final six seasons (2013-18) with Carolina. A linebacker and key contributor on all four phases of special teams, Jacobs recorded 31 special teams tackles and eight tackles on defense in 73 career games played.

"I've been blessed to have a long career in the NFL as a player, and this was a great opportunity – too big of an opportunity to pass up," Jacobs said. "I know this is what I want to do, and it's being presented to me right now. It was tough to come to terms with not playing anymore, but when we finally made the decision, it felt right."

Jacobs led or tied for the team lead in special teams tackles in two of his seasons (2014 and 2018) with Carolina and helped the Panthers win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl 50 during the 2015 season. In 2017, Jacobs played a significant role on a coverage unit that finished eighth in opponents' punt return average, allowing just 5.9 yards per return. In 2016, Jacobs was part of a kickoff coverage unit that allowed a league-low 18.1 yards per kickoff return and finished fifth in the NFL with an opponents' average drive start of the 23.7-yard line.