>
The Carolina Panthers hire former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to lead their own defense after he was one of nine candidates to interview for the head coach job.
The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms with Ejiro Evero on Sunday to be their new defensive coordinator.
Evero, 42, was the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos last season and was one of nine candidates to interview for the Panthers’ head coaching job before owner David Tepper hired Frank Reich.
The Broncos ranked seventh in the league in total defense in 2022 with Evero and ranked 14th in points allowed.
Evero previously worked as the Broncos’ secondary coach before being promoted to coordinator.
He also has experience coaching the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Panthers agreed to terms with Ejiro Evero on Sunday to be their defensive coordinator.
Steve Wilks was Carolina’s defensive coordinator to start the 2022 season, but was later promoted to interim head coach after Matt Rhule was fired.
Al Holcomb took over as interim defensive coordinator and remained in that role for the remainder of the season.
Carolina’s defense, led by defensive end Brian Burns and safety Jeremy Chinn, finished 22nd in the league last season in yards allowed per game and allowed the 19th-most points in the league, but overall the defense is considered to be the strength of a team that finished 7-10.
Evero also has ties to Carolina.
Dom Capers, who served as Carolina’s first head coach, was a senior defensive assistant on Evero’s staff last season in Denver.
Evero also spent four years on the 49ers staff with Vic Fangio, the Panthers’ defensive coordinator from 1995 to 1998 with Capers.
Evero oversees drills during the Denver Broncos’ training camp in August at the team facility.