Bio Blast: Get to Know New Panthers Head Coach Dave Canales

More on the man who will lead the Panthers beginning in 2024.

The Carolina Panthers are set to hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as its next head coach.

Canales didn't get as much attention in this recruiting cycle as other young, bright offensive minds such as Ben Johnson (Lions) or Bobby Slowik (Texans), but his resume is just as strong as any of them.

The 42-year-old has had his hand in the passing game really ever since he came to the league in 2010 working with receivers, but began working directly with quarterbacks in 2018.

Russell Wilson had already been developed and groomed into one of the league's top quarterbacks by the time Canales took over the QB room, but he did bring out the best in Wilson. In Canales' first two years working with Wilson on a daily basis, Wilson had arguably the best two-year stretch of his career where he combined to throw for 7,558 yards and 66 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. 

In 2020, Canales' title was changed to passing game coordinator and Wilson set career highs in completions (384), completion percentage (68.8%), and touchdowns (40) while throwing for the second-most yards of his career (4,212).

Following the Seattle-Denver trade that sent Wilson to the Broncos, many expected the Seahawks to have one of the league's worst offenses with so much uncertainty at quarterback. Geno Smith eventually beat out Drew Lock who was acquired in the Wilson trade and after being a backup for nearly seven years, Smith shined in his second chance at being a starter. 

Smith completed 69.8% of his passes which set an NFL record while throwing for 4,282 yards (Seattle franchise record) and 30 touchdowns. He was named a Pro Bowler, awarded Comeback Player of the Year, and finished 9th in the MVP voting. This season without Canales, Smith didn't see the same success. He ended the year throwing for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while completing 64.7% of passes.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2023 campaign in a similar situation to what Canales just experienced a year prior in Seattle - question marks at quarterback. They gave Baker Mayfield an opportunity to resurrect his career and that's exactly what he did. Mayfield saw career highs across the board - completions (364), completion percentage (64.3%), passing yards (4,044), and touchdowns (28) en route to an NFC South division title.

COACHING HISTORY

2004-05: Carson HS (CA) - Offensive Coordinator

2006-08: El Camino College - Special Teams & Tight Ends Coach

2009: USC - Assistant Strength Coach

2010-17: Seattle Seahawks - Wide Receivers Coach

2018-19: Seattle Seahawks - Quarterback Coach

2020-21: Seattle Seahawks - Passing Game Coordinator

2022: Settle Seahawks - Quarterback Coach

2023: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Offensive Coordinator

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