Panthers make multiple permanent changes to the coaching staff after loss to Packers that fans have been begging for all season long
The Carolina Panthers have parted ways with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero following the team’s Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The Carolina Panthers have made some permanent and necessary changes to the defensive coaching staff following the team’s Week 8 loss on Thursday night to the Green Bay Packers.
The team announced on Friday that they have parted ways with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley. Both assistants were in their fourth season with the Panthers and now the team finally moves on.
The decision with Evero was expected, and one fans have been calling to have happen for years now. Head coach Dave Canales continued to stick his neck out for Evero over the last few years, but with the unit continuing to struggle, Canales simply had no choice.
This is a decision I believe was made prior to Week 8. After the team’s blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday, it seemed like the wheels were in motion for this move. However, it was a short turn around with the next game being on a Thursday and I found it interesting that Evero didn’t speak with reporters during the week of preparation.
Now, the Panthers have a long break until their next game and finally pulled the trigger on the decision. Defensive line coach Todd Wash will serve as the team’s interim defensive coordinator for the rest of the season and will call the defensive plays. Wash has worked with Canales and general manager Dan Morgan for years, including their time together in Seattle. He has five years of experience as a defensive coordinator (2016-2020 with the Jacksonville Jaguars).
Ejiro Evero simply ran out of excuses in Carolina
After the 2024 season, Evero should have been canned. He ran one of the worst defenses in franchise, and league history. Carolina allowed 31.4 points per game that season, setting an all-time NFL record for the most points allowed in a single season. And allowed 6,877 total yards, the second-most in a single season in league history.
Evero’s defense was that the unit lacked necessary talent to run his scheme. So, the Panthers spent the next two years adding talent to the unit such as Tershawn Wharton, Nick Scott, Mike Jackson, Pat Jones II, Devin Lloyd, Jaelan Phillips, and multiple draft picks on the defensive side of the ball.
Things only marginally improved in 2025. The Panthers ranked 15th in the NFL with 22.4 points per game allowed and allowed 338.4 total yards per game. This year was supposed to be the year we saw real improvement with more high-priced veterans joining the unit. Instead, the Panthers allowed 250+ rushing yards and 40+ points in two of their first six games (both of which came at home).
Fans had become very vocal about the their feelings toward Evero to the point Canales had no choice but to finally make this decision.
Dave Canales’ decision to fire Ejiro Evero buys him more time as a head coach
It honestly got to the point where Canales’ seat grew hotter and hotter the more Evero remained on this staff. It was clear to everyone that the team’s defensive scheme was not effective and that coaching was the root of all the issues. The more Canales backed Evero and the scheme, the worse it looked for him.
I frankly believe Canales is the right coach for this team and this was absolutely the right decision to make, even if it took way longer than it needed to. And the decision will buy Canales more time as the team’s head coach, unless the Panthers completely bottom out.
At 3-4, the Panthers still have plenty of time to turn this season around and they’re still right in the mix of the NFC South race. If the defense manages to finally improve with Evero out of the building, that would be a major boost.
After the season, Canales can explore hiring a new coordinator to run his defense. Sean McDermott would be the top candidate in my eyes that can add a lot of insight for this staff. But, there’s plenty of other candidates that would be miles better than Evero.
