NEWSLETTER
We’re approaching the end of the 2024 NFL head coaching carousel, with another hire reportedly coming soon in Carolina. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are closing in on hiring Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
According to Rapoport, the two sides are working on coming to terms on a deal, but Carolina has identified Canales as their next head coach and is working to get that deal done.
The Panthers conducted second interviews with two candidates for their coaching staff this week: Dave Canales, the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Raheem Morris, the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
Carolina’s search for their next head coach lands on Dave Canales
Canales, who spent almost ten years with Dan Morgan, the new Panthers general manager, during his time with the Seattle Seahawks, seemed to be gaining momentum during the interview process. Canales was among the 11 candidates interviewed by the Panthers in the first round, but they did not consider Bill Belichick or Vrabel, two established coaches who were available this year.
The Panthers have shown no interest in Belichick, and it is unlikely that he would consider Carolina due to Belichick’s history of controlling personnel in New England, which conflicts with Morgan’s role as general manager/president of football operations.
The Panthers’ decision not to interview the seasoned head coaches on the market tells us two things: 1) they understood that David Tepper’s quick trigger and their lack of a first-round pick this year made their job opening one that a head coach with a Belichick or Vrabel pedigree wouldn’t be interested in and 2) they really loved Canales.
Canales, who is 42 years old, started his career as a strength coach at USC, working alongside Pete Carroll. He then moved to Seattle in 2010 to be a receivers coach. Canales stayed with the Seahawks for 12 years, working his way up to become the quarterbacks coach. He only served as an offensive coordinator for one year.
Some of the players he has coached include Russell Wilson, Geno Smith, and, most recently, Baker Mayfield. Canales is now tasked with the challenge of getting Bryce Young’s NFL career on track.
