Carolina Panthers to hire Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as new head coach

The Carolina Panthers are “nearing a deal” to hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales to be the team’s next head coach, according to Ian Rapoport. After parting ways with Frank Reich after less than a season, Carolina completed multiple interviews with Canales – his first for a head coaching job in the NFL.

Canales was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for just one season but made a major impact. The team went 9-8 under Todd Bowles before falling in the divisional round against the Detroit Lions.

Prior to his stint in Tampa Bay, Canales worked multiple jobs as he moved up the ladder with the Seattle Seahawks. Starting in 2010, he served under Pete Carroll as wide receivers coach, then quarterbacks coach (2018-19), passing game coordinator (2020-21) and quarterbacks coach (2022).

Before Seattle, Canales was an assistant strength coach under Carroll at USC in 2009, a special teams/tight ends coach at El Camino College (Calif.) from 2006 to 2008 and the offensive coordinator at Carson High (Calif.) from 2004-05.

Canales helped take Buccaneers to playoffs in Year 1

Baker Mayfield, who, like Canales, was in his first season for Tampa Bay, had glowing reviews for his offensive coordinator. He ended the year with his highest-ever completion percentage of 64.3% and topped 4,000 passing yards for the first time in his career. Mayfield threw 28 touchdown passes with 10 interceptions in 17 games.

“He had the foundation for what he wanted to install but he is always open to new ideas and learning,” Mayfield said, via Brianna Dix. “In our QB room, he is never saying, ‘I have it all figured out. Let’s stick to my plan.’ He is open to new ideas and any way that we can generate plays off plays – things that might look like similar route concepts. He is receptive to adding new concepts, making tweaks here and there.

“(Canales) always has a smile on his face. He is always looking to improve and get better in some form or fashion. He has genuine authenticity, and it is not fake. A lot of people can try and put on a front to appear like that, but he really means it and is constantly that positive. He just wants to help out in any way he can, and never acts like he has it all figured out. There is just a vulnerability there in showing that you are flawed. There is always room for improvement and just his total approach is unique.”

Canales, 42, has one Super Bowl ring so far in his career from the Seahawks’ win over the Denver Broncos in 2014. Now, he has the tall task of turning around the Panthers and their 2-15 record.