Dave Canales, Panthers hiring USC analyst Will Harriger as new QB coach

The Carolina Panthers have their new quarterbacks coach as part of recently-hired head coach Dave Canales’ inaugural staff. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Canales will renuite with a former colleague who currently works for the USC Trojans.

Here was Pelissero’s report of the hire, which he shared to twitter on the morning of Super Bowl Sunday:

“The Panthers are hiring Will Harriger as their quarterbacks coach, per source. Harriger was on staff with Dave Canales in Seattle, and he worked with Bryce Young as a young player through QB Collective. Now, they’re reunited in Carolina.”

According to USC’s official team website, Harriger worked for the program in a variety of roles after joining Lincoln Riley back in 2022. He was a Senior Offensive Analyst, Assistant Quarterbacks Coach, Game Management Coordinator and NFL Liaison for the Trojans. He also graduated from the University of Auburn and has worked with a slew of other teams, including prior NFL experience.

Per the USC site, here is the full background on Harriger’s coaching career:

NFL experience

“He spent 5 seasons (2014-18) with the Seattle Seahawks.  He was an offensive assistant his first 2 seasons, then was promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach for the final 3 years.  Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 11,650 yards and 90 touchdowns during those 3 seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2017 and 2018 and leading the league in passing TDs in 2017.

“Harriger was with the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, serving as an offensive assistant, and 2020, when he began as a game management coordinator before transitioning to running backs coach for the season’s final 12 weeks.  Running back Todd Gurley ran for 678 yards with 9 TDs in 2020 and fellow running back Brian Hill rushed for a career-best 465 yards.

“Harriger, 39, spent 2021 as an offensive assistant coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Quarterback Trevor Lawrence set franchise rookie records for completions and passing yards, while wide receiver Marvin Jones caught a team-best 73 passes.”

College experience 

“He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Midwestern State in 2004 and 2005 (working with the outside linebackers).  Midwestern State won the Lone Star Conference co-champion in 2004, reached the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in school history and was fourth nationally in rush defense.  He then became a graduate assistant at Tennessee-Martin in 2006.

“He was a defensive administrative assistant at Auburn, his alma mater, in 2007, working with the linebackers.  The Tigers finished ranked No. 15 while leading the SEC in scoring defense and placing second in the league in both total defense and pass defense.   

“In 2008, he was a defensive quality control assistant at Texas, working with the linebackers.  Texas finished ranked No. 4 in the nation.  The Longhorns led the Big 12 in rush defense (third nationally), total defense and scoring defense.

“He was the linebackers coach at Tennessee-Martin in 2009, his second stint there.  Linebacker Josh Bey made the All-Ohio Valley first team.

“He spent 2 seasons (2010-11) at Texas Tech, the first as a defensive staff assistant (he served as interim linebackers coach in the 2010 TicketCity Bowl) and the second as a defensive graduate assistant working with the inside linebackers. He was also at Florida for 2 seasons (2012-13) as a graduate assistant.”