Panthers fire 2 coaches after embarrassing loss to Bengals
FILE - Carolina Panthers cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper looks on during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks fired two of his assistant coaches Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, less than 24 hours after the team’s embarrassing 42-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in which they allowed a franchise-record 35 points in the first half. Wilks fired cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)
FILE - Then-Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni walks the field prior to an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks fired two of his assistant coaches Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, less than 24 hours after the team’s embarrassing 42-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in which they allowed a franchise-record 35 points in the first half. Wilks fired cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Carolina Panthers head coach Steve Wilks takes questions during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
FILE - Carolina Panthers cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper looks on during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks fired two of his assistant coaches Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, less than 24 hours after the team’s embarrassing 42-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in which they allowed a franchise-record 35 points in the first half. Wilks fired cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)
FILE - Carolina Panthers cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper looks on during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks fired two of his assistant coaches Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, less than 24 hours after the team’s embarrassing 42-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in which they allowed a franchise-record 35 points in the first half. Wilks fired cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)
FILE - Then-Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni walks the field prior to an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks fired two of his assistant coaches Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, less than 24 hours after the team’s embarrassing 42-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in which they allowed a franchise-record 35 points in the first half. Wilks fired cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
FILE - Then-Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni walks the field prior to an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks fired two of his assistant coaches Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, less than 24 hours after the team’s embarrassing 42-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in which they allowed a franchise-record 35 points in the first half. Wilks fired cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Carolina Panthers head coach Steve Wilks takes questions during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Carolina Panthers head coach Steve Wilks takes questions during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks fired two of his assistants on Monday, less than 24 hours after the team’s embarrassing 42-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in which it allowed a franchise-record 35 points in the first half.
Wilks fired cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni.
Cooper has been with the Panthers since 2020, while Pasqualoni, the former head coach at Syracuse, joined the Panthers this offseason.
Defensive assistant Bobby Maffei will take on added responsibilities with the defensive backs, with interim defensive coordinator Al Holcomb playing a more prominent role in that area, too. Pass rush specialist Don Johnson and assistant defensive line coach Terrance Knighton will continue to coach the defensive line without Pasqualoni.
The Panthers (2-7) host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
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