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Panthers fire Ejiro Evero, name Todd Wash interim coordinator

By Drooid · Oct 31, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

The Carolina Panthers fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley.
Evero was the first NFL coordinator dismissed in the 2026 season.
Head coach Dave Canales made the decision after consulting owner David Tepper, GM Dan Morgan, and exec Brandt Tilis.
Defensive line coach Todd Wash was named interim defensive coordinator and will call plays.

Summary

Panthers tie for NFC South lead with Falcons at 3-4 after Week 8 loss to Packers.
Panthers surrendered 349.6 yards per game, the most in the league, yet remain co-leaders.
Carolina allowed 27.6 points per game, seventh most, while staying atop the division.
Panthers announced internal coaching changes on Thursday following the primetime loss.

History

After hiring Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator in January 2007, the New York Giants saw his unit surrender a league-worst 4,783 passing yards and rank third in points allowed during the 2008 season, sparking criticism of his scheme. His later firing by the New Orleans Saints in 2013 after another historically poor defense illustrates the NFL’s pattern of quickly replacing coordinators when yards allowed spike.

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After hiring Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator in January 2007, the New York Giants saw his unit surrender a league-worst 4,783 passing yards and rank third in points allowed during the 2008 season, sparking criticism of his scheme. His later firing by the New Orleans Saints in 2013 after another historically poor defense illustrates the NFL’s pattern of quickly replacing coordinators when yards allowed spike.

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