CAROLINA PANTHERS DISMISS EJIRO EVERO AND JONATHAN COOLEY

The Carolina Panthers announced that they had dismissed defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley. The decision came hours after the team’s latest defeat. Carolina has a 3-4 record after seven games in 2026. Panthers owner David Tepper had set high expectations for the team this season, and the dismissals mark a change to its defensive coaching staff.

The Panthers said defensive line coach Todd Wash will become defensive coordinator and call defensive plays. Outside linebackers coach and run game specialist AC Carter will also coach the defensive line. Secondary coach Renaldo Hill will continue to oversee Carolina’s defensive backs. Evero joined the Panthers in 2023 as a member of Frank Reich’s staff and remained after the team hired Dave Canales in 2024. Carolina remains tied with the Atlanta Falcons for first place in the NFC South.

Evero served as defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos in 2022 before joining Carolina. His first NFL position coaching job came in 2017, when Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay hired him as safeties coach for McVay’s initial staff. Evero later served as the Rams’ secondary coach and passing game coordinator in 2021. The Rams won the Super Bowl that season, before Evero moved to Denver and then spent three seasons with the Panthers.