The Pittsburgh Steelers have added another name to their growing list of head coaching candidates, requesting an interview with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. As the franchise begins its search for a new leader on the sideline, Evero joins a group of defensive-minded coaches that reflects Pittsburgh’s deep-rooted identity: tough, disciplined, and built from the trenches out.
Here’s where the Steelers’ candidate list currently stands:
- Nate Scheelhaase, Rams pass game coordinator (Requested)
- Chris Shula, Rams defensive coordinator (Requested)
- Anthony Weaver, Dolphins defensive coordinator (Requested)
- Jesse Minter, Chargers defensive coordinator (Requested)
- Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator (Requested)
- Ejiro Evero, Panthers defensive coordinator (Requested)
Evero’s coaching journey is one marked by persistence, adaptability, and a steady climb through the NFL’s ranks. At 45, he's already logged over a decade of experience across several organizations, and his résumé reflects a coach who’s earned every step.
It all started back in 2004 when Evero signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent out of UC Davis. His playing career was brief, but it laid the groundwork for a coaching path that would take him from college sidelines back into the NFL. He returned to UC Davis as an assistant before getting his first NFL coaching gig with the Buccaneers as a defensive quality control coach.
From there, Evero spent time with both the 49ers and Packers in similar roles, learning the ropes and building a reputation as a sharp defensive mind. His big break came in 2017 when the Rams brought him on as their safeties coach. He steadily climbed the ladder in L.A., eventually becoming the secondary coach and passing game coordinator in 2021-a role that put him in the spotlight during one of the league’s most dominant defensive seasons.
That performance helped land him the defensive coordinator job in Denver in 2022, and then with Carolina in 2023. While the Panthers struggled overall, Evero’s defense showed flashes.
In 2025, Carolina ranked 16th in total yards allowed, 15th in points per game, 20th against the pass, and 15th against the run. Those aren’t elite numbers, but they’re respectable given the team’s broader challenges-and they speak to a coach who knows how to keep his unit competitive even when the offense isn’t holding up its end.
For the Steelers, a franchise that’s always prided itself on defense-first football, Evero fits the mold. He’s a coach who emphasizes fundamentals, discipline, and versatility-traits that align with Pittsburgh’s traditional identity. And with the Steelers evaluating several defensive coordinators for the top job, it’s clear they’re leaning into what’s long been their organizational DNA.
Evero’s name may not carry the same weight as some of the league’s marquee coaches just yet, but don’t let that fool you. He’s been in the room with some of the NFL’s brightest minds, and he’s earned respect for his ability to connect with players, adapt to different systems, and lead under pressure.
As the Steelers continue their search, Evero presents a compelling option: a coach with a proven track record of development, a defensive pedigree, and the kind of quiet confidence that tends to resonate in a locker room. Whether he lands the job remains to be seen, but he’s certainly earned the interview-and he just might be the kind of voice Pittsburgh’s looking for as it enters a new era.