Dom Capers, the Panthers first-ever head coach (1995-98), returns for his second year as Carolina's senior defensive assistant. Capers has 50 years of cumulative coaching experience, including 38 in the NFL with 11 teams. He has served as head coach or defensive coordinator for 25 seasons across six clubs and has coached 29 different players to 14 All-Pro teams and 46 Pro Bowl selections.
Last season as the Panthers senior defensive assistant (2023), Capers worked with the defensive staff, led by defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to help guide a defense that allowed the fourth-fewest yards per game (293.9). The unit allowed just 171.5 passing yards per game to set a franchise record and third fewest in the NFL in 2023.
Capers has nine years of experience as a head coach, first with Carolina and then with Houston (2001-05). In addition, he has coordinated the defenses for Green Bay (2009-17), Miami (2006), Jacksonville (1999-2000) and Pittsburgh (1995-98).
His career accolades include recognition as the 1996 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year, following a 12-4 season with the Panthers, in the franchise's second season in the NFL. Capers has also garnered numerous distinctions from the Pro Football Writers of America, including Coach of the Year in consecutive seasons (1995-96) and Assistant Coach of the Year on three occasions (1994, 1999, 2009).
Before joining Carolina, Capers spent one season (2022) as senior defensive assistant for the Denver Broncos, working with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Together, they helped the Broncos defense rank among the league leaders in a number of categories, including total defense (seventh – 320.0 yards per game), rushing defense (10th – 109.8), opponent third down conversion percentage (second – 34.1%), opponent redzone touchdown rate (seventh – 51.1%) and defensive three-and-out percentage (fourth – 37.9%).
Before joining the Denver coaching staff, Capers spent the previous three NFL seasons serving as senior defensive assistant for Detroit (2021), Minnesota (2020), and Jacksonville (2019).
With Capers as the defensive coordinator (2009-17), Green Bay ranked second in wins (94) and winning percentage (.656) and tallied five NFC North division titles, three NFC Championship Game appearances and one Super Bowl Championship (XLV). He coached nine players to a combined three All-Pro teams and 17 Pro Bowl honors and was awarded his third Assistant Coach of the Year honor during his tenure.
Capers served as special assistant & secondary coach for one season (2008) in New England under Bill Belichick, and under Nick Saban as assistant to the head coach (2006) and defensive coordinator (2007) during his two seasons in Miami.
In 2001, Capers was named head coach of the Houston Texans – the NFL's 32nd franchise. He served as head coach for the first four years (2002-05) of the club's existence after spending two seasons in Jacksonville (1999-2000) as defensive coordinator.
With the Jaguars, Capers collected his second Assistant Coach of the Year distinction (1999) after improving a Jacksonville defense that went from 25th in 1998 to fourth in 1999. The Jaguars allowed the fewest points in 1999 (217) and led the NFL in scoring defense (13.9).
As a first time head coach (1995), Capers led the Panthers to seven wins (1995) which set an NFL record for most victories by an expansion team in their inaugural season. The following year (1996), Carolina finished 12-4, won the NFC West, and advanced to the NFC Championship game, as he earned Associated Press Coach of the Year honors.
As Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator for three seasons (1992-94), Capers was part of a team that made the postseason each year, as the Steelers posted a Top 10 defense in each seasons.
Capers began his NFL career in 1986, spending six seasons with New Orleans as defensive backs coach (1986-91). He coached two players to Pro Bowl appearances and assisted the team to three playoff berths in that span.
In addition to his time in the NFL, Capers has 12 years of collegiate experience with seven institutions. He coached defensive backs at Ohio State University (1982-83), University of Tennessee (1980-81), University of California, Berkeley (1978-79), San Jose State University (1977) and University of Hawai'i (1975-76), before he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the Kent State University (1972-74) and University of Washington (1975).
After playing safety and linebacker for Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio (1968-71), Capers graduated with a degree in physical education and a minor in psychology. A native of Buffalo, Ohio, he his wife, Karen, funded the Dom and Karen Capers Coaching Center as a home for coaching offices and film/meeting rooms for Mount Union's football program.
1972-74 | Kent State | Graduate Assistant
1975 | University of Washington | Graduate Assistant
1975-76 | University of Hawaii | Defensive Backs
1977 | San Jose State University | Defensive Backs
1978-79 | University of California, Berkeley | Defensive Backs
1980-81 | University of Tennessee | Defensive Backs
1982-83 | Ohio State University | Defensive Backs
1984-85 | Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars | Defensive Backs
1986-91 | New Orleans Saints | Defensive Backs
1992-94 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Defensive Coordinator
1995-98 | Carolina Panthers | Head Coach
1999-2000 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Defensive Coordinator
2002-05 | Houston Texans | Head Coach
2006-07 | Miami Dolphins | Defensive Coordinator
2008 | New England Patriots | Special Assistant & Secondary
2009-17 | Green Bay Packers | Defensive Coordinator
2019 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Senior Defensive Assistant
2020 | Minnesota Vikings | Senior Defensive Assistant
2021 | Detroit Lions | Senior Defensive Assistant
2022 | Denver Broncos | Senior Defensive Assistant
2023-pres | Carolina Panthers | Senior Defensive Assistant
