Panthers to Hire Buccaneers OC Dave Canales as Head Coach, per Report
The Carolina Panthers are expected to hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their new head coach, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr subsequently confirmed the report.
Canales spent one season with Tampa Bay after coaching for 13 years with the Seattle Seahawks in a variety of positions, including quarterbacks coach, wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. The 42-year-old helped quarterback Baker Mayfield execute a comeback season, as Mayfield threw for over 4,000 yards for the first time in his career and totaled a career-high 28 touchdown passes.
The Panthers are choosing Canales as their third full-time head coach in three years (and fifth including interim head coaches). Canales will replace Frank Reich, who was fired just 11 games into his first season with the team.
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This decision is crucial for Carolina, as Canales will be tasked with helping last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young, after a disappointing rookie season. Young ended the season with just 2,877 passing yards, 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.