Panthers Fire Ejiro Evero, Name Todd Wash Interim Defensive Coordinator

The Carolina Panthers fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero on Friday, October 30, and named defensive line coach Todd Wash the interim coordinator and defensive play caller. The changes followed Thursday’s 27–19 loss to Green Bay, Carolina’s second consecutive defeat.

Defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley was also dismissed. Outside linebackers coach and run game specialist AC Carter will take responsibility for the defensive line, while secondary coach Renaldo Hill continues overseeing the defensive backs.

A new defensive play caller

Evero arrived in Carolina in 2023 on Frank Reich’s staff and remained when Dave Canales became head coach in 2024. Wash now inherits the unit during a break between games rather than a normal preparation week. Evero was Denver’s defensive coordinator for the 2022 NFL season.

Wash previously coordinated Jacksonville’s defense from 2016 through 2020. The Jaguars finished among the league’s top four defenses twice during that stretch, according to WBTV, giving Carolina an interim replacement with previous experience running an NFL defense.

The Panthers allowed 70 points across their latest two losses, including 43 against Tampa Bay before the defeat at Lambeau Field. Carolina had won three of its first five games before those results dropped its record to 3–4.

Denver visits after the break

The season’s defensive numbers remained worse than last year’s. Yahoo Sports reported Carolina was allowing 349.6 yards and 27.6 points per game, compared with 327.2 yards and 22.4 points in 2025. The Panthers also had 11 sacks.

Despite the losing record, Carolina remained tied with Atlanta atop the NFC South. That leaves the revised staff preparing for a competitive division race while addressing problems that have persisted through consecutive defeats.

Carolina next hosts the Denver Broncos on November 8. The ten-day interval gives Wash time to prepare his first game plan as coordinator and gives the Panthers additional recovery time before returning to the field.