CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have hired Dave Canales to be the seventh head coach in the team's history.
Canales was officially announced as the team's coach for next season by the Panthers on Thursday. The terms of Canales' deal have not been shared at this time but he could be signed to a six-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Canales spent one season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator, where he is partially credited with revitalizing the career of former Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Before his time with Tampa Bay, Canales was the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks for 13 seasons, working with quarterbacks Russel Wilson and Geno Smith.
"Dave's background is rooted in success," David Tepper, the Panthers owner, said in a statement. "He has an innovative mindset and positive energy that connects well with players and staff. We are impressed with his ability to bring out the best in players."
Panthers fans and executives are hopeful Canales can help 2023 No.1 pick Bryce Young grow into a franchise quarterback after a tough rookie season.
The conversation surrounding who would be the next head coach for the Panthers has swirled in recent days. NFL insiders like Tom Pelissero noted that Ejiro Evero, Carolina's defensive coordinator, was among several candidates who were interviewed this week along with Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.
Canales becomes just the fifth Hispanic coach in NFL history. One of the other five, Ron Rivera, coached the Panthers from 2011 to 2019.
Tepper has hired four head coaches and appointed three interim head coaches since he took over the team in 2018.
A post from the official NFL account on X also supported the reports from Rapoport.
The potential move to hire Canales comes roughly 72 hours after Carolina hired Dan Morgan to be the team's general manager and president of football operations and as the Panthers come off of one of the worst seasons in franchise history. The 2023-24 season saw the Panthers win only two games. Panthers veteran and tight end Hayden Hurst previously described the situation with the team as being like the "Hunger Games" and that there were essentially too many cooks in the kitchen, hindering quarterback Bryce Young in his first season in the NFL and with the Panthers.
PHOTOS: Dave Canales coaching career
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