A defensive assistant for most of his coaching career, Capers held his first defensive coordinator position with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992. He left Pittsburgh to become the Panthers head coach in 1995 where he guided the team to a 7–9 record, the best finish for an NFL expansion franchise in their inaugural season. The following year, Capers led the Panthers to an NFC West division title and the NFC Championship Game, making them the youngest NFL expansion franchise to clinch their division and (along with the Jacksonville Jaguars) appear in a conference championship.