The Carolina Panthers have announced the dismissal of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley, as confirmed on Thursday.
This decision comes one day after the Panthers’ record dropped to 3-4 following a 27-19 defeat against the Green Bay Packers.
Evero had been leading the Carolina defense since his hiring in February 2023 under former head coach Frank Reich. After continuing in the position when Dave Canales succeeded Reich, Evero signed a contract extension that would keep him with the team through the 2027 season this past January.
This season, the Panthers’ defense has permitted an average of 349.6 yards per game, in contrast to 327.2 in 2022. Additionally, Carolina has allowed the seventh-highest points per game in the league this year (27.6), compared to 22.4 last year. The team has also recorded the fifth-fewest sacks, totaling just 11, throughout the NFL.
Cooley came aboard the Panthers in 2023 serving as a cornerback/secondary coach before moving up to the passing game coordinator role a year later.
Defensive line coach Todd Wash will step in as the interim defensive coordinator. He joined the Panthers in 2023 following a two-year stint as the defensive line coach for the Detroit Lions. Wash will have support from outside linebackers coach/run game specialist AC Carter, who will also oversee the defensive line’s duties.
Even with the 3-4 record, the Panthers find themselves in a tie with the Atlanta Falcons at the top of the NFC South standings.
