BREAKING: Panthers to Hire Dave Canales as Head Coach

Carolina has found its guy.

The Carolina Panthers interviewed twelve candidates for the head coaching job and brought back a few a second time. They could have waited until this week's conference championship games were over to meet again with Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson, Ravens OC Todd Monken, and Ravens DC Mike Macdonald but they found their guy.

Moments ago, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Panthers are set to hire Dave Canales as its next head coach.

A surprise! The #Panthers are closing in on a hire: It’s #Bucs OC Dave Canales as their new head coach, sources say. A first-time coordinator, his work in Tampa this year — especially with Baker Mayfield — stood out.

On to Bryce Young. pic.twitter.com/NEIGnt36O3

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2024

Canales did a phenomenal job this past season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping them to an NFC South division title and a win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round.

He was instrumental in the career turnarounds of Geno Smith in Seattle and this past year with Baker Mayfield who put together a career year, throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns.

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