Panthers Part Ways With Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero

The Carolina Panthers have parted ways with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, head coach Dave Canales announced, as the team reshapes its defensive coaching staff. Defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley also left the staff. The changes were reported by Carolina-based outlets and ESPN, with Yahoo Sports linking the moves to the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Todd Wash takes over the defense

Defensive line coach Todd Wash has been named interim defensive coordinator and will call the defensive plays. Wash joined Carolina's staff in 2023 and has 31 years of coaching experience, including 20 in the NFL.

Wash previously served five seasons (2016-20) as defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2017, when Jacksonville had the second-ranked defense in the league, the team advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

Changes across the staff

Outside linebackers coach and run game specialist AC Carter will expand his responsibilities to include coaching the defensive line. Secondary coach Renaldo Hill will continue to oversee the defensive backs.

Yahoo Sports described the move as part of a broader round of firings after the Packers game. The reports reviewed for this story do not name any other coaches among those affected beyond Evero and Cooley, so the wider scope of the changes remains unclear.

What we know so far

Evero's departure takes effect alongside Cooley's, and Wash will lead the defense on an interim basis. Canales has not been quoted in the reports on the longer-term plan for the coordinator role. The Panthers' next game and any permanent hire will be the next indicators of how the defense is restructured.

Ejiro Evero is a name readers are searching for after the announcement, and the team's decision is the latest change to its defensive leadership.

Editor's note: Carolina's stated reasons for the move were not included in the reports reviewed.