The Carolina Panthers recognize a good thing when they see it. Last season, Jonathan Cooley oversaw a team that allowed 171.5 passing yards per ga
me, the lowest total in Panthers franchise history and the third lowest in the league. Opposing quarterbacks completed only 64.2% of their throws, and the unit allowed the fourth fewest passing touchdowns in 2023 (19). The Carolina Panthers recently promoted Cooley to Defensive Passing Game Coordinator, and he spoke with reporters about his thoughts on the defense and coaching staff.
Carolina Panthers Are In a Good Place
“I think we’re in a good place right now with the guys that we have,” he said, continuing “Dan (Morgan- Panthers General Manager) has done a good job of identifying people through the draft and through free agency that are going to come in and help us.” Cooley is also pleased with amount of depth with plenty of able bodies, and for him and Eijro and the rest of the defense coaching staff it’s now about “developing them and creating roles for them in our defense.”
One of the players Cooley likes in particular is Jadeveon Clowney, who will be suiting up for the first time in Panthers blue this fall. Clowney seems to be back in his element, and it’s no wonder given he was born and raised just on the other side of the Carolina border, in Rock Hill.
“He seems free, he seems excited to perform, and he’s focused on just getting better each day and that’s all you can ask from a great player. He’s just attacking each day, he comes to work with urgency and he tries to get better at something so he’s been in a fantastic mindset.” When asked what in particular is so intriguing about Clowney, Cooley continued saying, “He is able to dominate his matchups and what he has is rare. He has size, he has speed, he has instincts, and he’s very tough and the one thing that separates him from a lot of guys is his competitive drive.”
Forming Relationships is Key to the Carolina Panthers Coaches
The value of having continuity on the defensive coaching side cannot be overstated, especially when the head coach changes. Fortunately, the merger of Coach Canales’ and the defensive coach’s visions is based on relationships.
“You know what coach Canales does a great job of creating relationships. He’s very intentional and one thing I love about Coach Canales is he’s done an excellent job of not only preaching relationships but being intentional about developing with the coaches and the players.” Cooley and Co. appreciate Canales’ genuine desire to create “an environment where we can get along,” and at the end of the day it’s just “interacting and getting used to the people on the other side of the ball.”
