The Carolina Panthers have made a change to the coaching staff after a Thursday night loss to the Green Bay Packers.
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The team announced on Friday that it had parted ways with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley. Defensive line coach Todd Wash will take over as interim DC, and he will call the defensive plays for the rest of the season.
Outside linebackers coach/run game specialist AC Carter will coach the defensive line while Renaldo Hill will continue to coach the defensive backs.
This decision by head coach Dave Canales followed a 27-19 loss to the Packers in which the Panthers gave up 354 total yards, including multiple deep shots down the field. Packers receiver Christian Watson, in particular, caught a 53-yard pass down the field between two defensive backs.
It also follows last weekend's 43-13 loss against the rival Buccaneers in which the Panthers gave up 258 rushing yards.
The Panthers rank 22nd in total defense while giving up an average of 348.8 yards per game. This unit entered Thursday night's game with the sixth-best pass defense at 195.7 yards allowed per game and the NFL's worst rush defense at 153.2 yards allowed per game.
The Panthers will now try to turn the season around with Wash as interim defensive coordinator. After all, he is a veteran coach with 31 years experience and 20 in the NFL dating back to the 2007 season.
The Montana native has spent extensive time coaching the defensive line while working for the Buccaneers, Jaguars, Seahawks, Lions, and Panthers, the team he joined in 2023.
Wash also spent five seasons as the defensive coordinator for Jaguars (2016-20). This unit ranked sixth, second, and fifth in total defense his first three seasons on the job. It helped propel the team to the AFC Championship during the 2017 season while also boasting the league's best pass defense.
The Panthers will continue the season on Sunday, Nov. 8, with a home game against the Broncos.
