Skip to main content

Bucs Insider Provides Insight on Dave Canales

Some thoughts on Canales from the folks in Tampa Bay.

The Carolina Panthers have a new head coach. It's not Ben Johnson. It's not Bobby Slowik. And it's not Jim Harbaugh, who many around the Carolina's had on their wish list. Instead, it's 42-year-old Dave Canales, the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Canales didn't really pop on the radar until the last month or so of the 2023 season when it became very real that the Bucs could have a shot at winning the division and ultimately did. He did tremendous work with Baker Mayfield who put up the best numbers of his career in his lone year working with him. It's also well-documented the success that Russell Wilson and Geno Smith had in Seattle with Canales running the quarterbacks room.

But aside from the magical work he's done with quarterbacks, what are the Panthers getting in Canales? We reached out to JC Allen of Bucs Gameday on FanNation to provide a little insight.

"From the moment he spoke, there was something about the way Canales communicated that was refreshing. He was positive, upbeat, and candid with reporters not shying away from the tough questions and always having an answer to the best of his ability.

"What the Panthers are getting with Canales is a positive thinking head coach who brings energy to an organization. He’s a leader of men, a problem solver, and is highly motivated to succeed. His ability to bring out the greatness in his players is a testament to the effort he puts in to know and understand them and put them in the best position for success.

"Canales shares the same upbeat personality and some of the philosophies as former boss Pete Carroll whom Dan Morgan worked closely with."

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on X:

Facebook - @PanthersOnSI

X - @AllPanthers_ and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.