Panthers promoting Jonathan Cooley to defensive passing game coordinator

Not only is Jonathan Cooley sticking around with the Carolina Panthers in 2024, but he’s also adding a new title to his résumé.

As first reported by Joe Person of The Athletic on Tuesday, the team has promoted Cooley to the defensive passing game coordinator position. He was hired by the Panthers as their secondary/cornerbacks coach last year.

Cooley came over after spending three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams—where he crossed paths with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. He began there as a defensive assistant and quality control coach in 2020, and was promoted to defensive backs coach for the 2022 season.

Prior to his jump to the NFL, the Columbus, Ohio native spent nearly a decade in the college ranks. He worked the sidelines for Millikin, Bluffton, his alma mater of John Carroll, Kentucky, Tennessee at Chattanooga, Kent State and Akron.

Despite their head-coaching change, Carolina retained Evero, Cooley and the rest of the defensive staff earlier this offseason.