Dave Canales says defensive coaching changes are about the players feeling confident

Panthers head coach Dave Canales fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley less than 12 hours after Thursday night's loss to the Packers, and Canales said on Friday afternoon that he wants his players to be confident in their defense.

"I take that responsibility very seriously as the head coach. I know it's my responsibility to put the players in a position where they feel confident, they feel ready to go," Canales said. "I just want to see the guys connected. I want to see them excited about going out there and executing the plan, playing fast, playing physical. The effort has been there. Those things are right, but I know we can make strides with being able to get everybody on the same page."

Canales said he "took in a lot of information" before firing Evero and Cooley and discussed it with owner David Tepper and General Manager Dan Morgan. But he added that he made the decision himself.

"Ultimately, this is my decision. This falls squarely under the responsibilities of the head coach," Canales said. "Ultimately it had to come from me."

Todd Wash, who had been the Panthers' defensive line coach, has been promoted to defensive coordinator. Canales said Wash is great at bringing players together.

"I've known him for a long time," Canales said. "His connection with the players, he knows these guys, he knows their stories, he's connected to their lives. He pushes them hard and trains them hard, and he does a great job of earning the right to be able to push guys because of the emotional equity that he pours in. I appreciate that and I'm excited about what happens with the whole group when they get connected and play together."