Dom Capers, the Panthers first-ever head coach (1995-98), returns for his third year as Carolina's senior defensive assistant. Capers has 50 years of cumulative coaching experience, including 40 in the NFL with 11 teams. He has served as a head coach or defensive coordinator for 25 seasons, and has coached over 30 different players to 14 All-Pro teams and 48 Pro Bowl selections.
Capers has nine years of experience as a head coach, first with Carolina and then with Houston (2001-05), serving as the first-ever head coach for both franchises. 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. 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 two occasions (1994, 1999).
Last season (2024) under Caper's guidance, cornerback Jaycee Horn garnered Pro Bowl honors after notching career-highs in total tackles (68), sacks (2.0), passes defensed (13), quarterback hits (two), and tackles for loss (five). Horn joined Cam Heyward (PIT) and Alontae Taylor (NO) as the only players in the NFL to record at least 50 tackles, 10 passes defensed, five tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks.
In 2023, Capers helped guide a defense that allowed the fourth-fewest yards per game (293.9). Carolina's defensive unit allowed just 171.5 passing yards per game, which set a franchise record and marked the third-fewest in the NFL that season.
Prior to re-joining the Panthers, Capers spent the 2022 season as a senior defensive assistant for the Denver Broncos, working with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Under the duo's guidance, the Broncos defense ranked among the league leaders in a number of categories, including seventh in total defense (320.0 yards per game), 10th in rushing defense (109.8), second in opponent third-down conversion percentage (34.1%), seventh in opponent redzone touchdown rate (51.1%) and fourth in defensive three-and-out percentage (37.9%).
Before joining the Denver coaching staff, Capers spent the previous three NFL seasons serving as a senior defensive assistant for Detroit (2021), Minnesota (2020) and Jacksonville (2019).
During his tenure as the Packers' 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 victory (XLV). Capers coached nine players to a combined three All-Pro teams and 17 Pro Bowl honors during this time.
Capers served as a special assistant and secondary coach for one season (2008) in New England under Bill Belichick, and spent two seasons with Nick Saban in Miami, serving as the assistant to the head coach (2006) and defensive coordinator (2007).
In 2001, Capers was named the first head coach of the Houston Texans – the NFL's 32nd franchise. He served as the team's head coach for the first four years (2002-05) of the club's existence. During his tenure, the Texans became the first expansion team in league history to win their first game, beating the Dallas Cowboys 19-10.
Before taking the helm in Houston, Capers served as the Jaguars defensive coordinator for two seasons (1999-2000). He collected his second Assistant Coach of the Year distinction (1999) after improving a Jacksonville defense that went from 25th the season prior to fourth in the league in 1999. That season, the Jaguars allowed the fewest points (217) and led the NFL in scoring defense (13.9).
As a first-time head coach in 1995, Capers led the Carolina Panthers to seven wins, 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, earning Capers Associated Press Coach of the Year honors.
Prior to his tenure in Carolina, Capers served as the Steeler's defensive coordinator for three seasons (1992-94), during which the team made three consecutive postseason appearances and boasted a top-10 defense in each of those seasons.
Capers began his NFL career in 1986 and spent six seasons with New Orleans as the team's 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 coaching experience with seven institutions. He coached defensive backs at the Ohio State (1982-83), Tennessee (1980-81), UC Berkeley (1978-79), San Jose State (1977) and Hawai'i (1975-76). He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Kent State (1972-74) and 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 and 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 | Hawaii - Defensive Backs
- 1977 | San Jose State - Defensive Backs
- 1978-79 | California, Berkeley - Defensive Backs
- 1980-81 | Tennessee - Defensive Backs
- 1982-83 | Ohio State - Defensive Backs
- 1984-85 | Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars (USFL) - 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- | Carolina Panthers - Senior Defensive Assistant
