Panthers Make Dave Canales New Head Coach
posted by Zaire Jones | February 13, 2024 | In SportsThe Carolina Panthers have hit the reset button again, hiring first-time head coach, Dave Canales. Canales will become the 3rd head coach in the last 5 seasons for Carolina. The Panthers are hoping Canales will bring the Panther Culture back after the failures of Matt Rhule and Frank Reich.
Canales is the second coach of Hispanic descent to coach the Carolina Panthers. The first was Ron Rivera who took the Panthers to the Super Bowl in 2015.
Canales has been around the NFL for a while, starting under legendary coach for the Seahawks, Pete Carroll. He started off as the offensive quality coach then transitioned to assistant quarterback and wide receivers coach. Canales was also the quarterback/passing game coordinator coach during the last years of his Seattle Seahawk tenure.
Canales had his first stint as offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping revive Baker Mayfield’s career. The Buccaneers would finish with a 9-8 record and an NFC South title.
Following up two abysmal coaching tenures will be a challenge for a first-year head coach such as Canales. A bright spot is having what hopes to be the franchise quarterback, Bryce Young. Canales has had high praise for the rookie QB despite a rough season. He wants to utilize what made Young a standout QB at University of Alabama.
For Panthers fans, though, it is more about action than words.
This Panthers team has not been to a playoff game since 2017 and haven’t won a playoff game since their Super Bowl run in 2015. This organization has gone through multiple quarterbacks since releasing Cam Newton in 2019.
The Joy seems to be gone for Panthers fans, and although fans are optimistic about the hire, results will have to show. The Panthers gave Canales a 6-year deal which is rare for a first-year head coach. This deal should give him time to help rebuild a team that is in desperate need of a turnover for not just the fans, but for the organization.
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