| Carolina Panthers | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Head coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | May 7, 1981 Harbor City, California, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Carson (Carson, California) |
| College: | Azusa Pacific (2000–2003) |
| Career history | |
As a coach: | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | 5–12 (.294) |
| Coaching profile at Pro Football Reference | |
David Canales (born May 7, 1981) is an American professional football coach who is the head coach for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Azusa Pacific and served as a longtime assistant coach with the Seattle Seahawks under Pete Carroll. Canales also was an assistant strength coach with the USC Trojans and offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Early life
[edit]Canales was born on May 7, 1981, in Harbor City, California. He attended Carson High School in Carson, California,[1] where he played wide receiver and defensive back. He played college football at Azusa Pacific University, then a NAIA program in Azusa, California. In his college career, Canales recorded 27 receptions for 293 yards and one touchdown.[2] He graduated in 2003 from Azusa Pacific with a degree in business administration.
Coaching career
[edit]Carson High School
[edit]Canales began his coaching career serving as the head coach and offensive coordinator of the freshman/sophomore team at his alma mater, Carson High School, from 2004 to 2005.[3][4]
El Camino College
[edit]Canales made the jump to college coaching in 2006 by joining El Camino (Calif.) College.[5] He served as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator in his first year, before transitioning to quarterbacks coach in his final season with the team (2007–08). During his tenure, the school won the California Community College State Championship in 2006 and also secured two Mission Conference titles.
USC
[edit]During his time at El Camino College, Canales formed a relationship with Pete Carroll, the head coach of the USC Trojans. In 2009, Canales joined Carroll at USC, where he served as an assistant strength coach for one season.[6]
Seattle Seahawks
[edit]In 2010, Canales followed Carroll after the latter's acceptance of the Seattle Seahawks' head coaching position.[7] He won his first Super Bowl title when the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.[8] Canales spent 13 years with the Seahawks, serving in a variety of capacities on the offensive side of the staff.[9] From 2010 through 2017, Canales served as wide receivers coach, coaching prominent players such as Golden Tate, Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett. He later took on the roles of quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2018 through 2022.[10] Canales was credited with assisting in the resurgence of quarterback Geno Smith's career. In the 2022 season, Smith was highly effective as the team's starting quarterback and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year, while also earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.[11]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
[edit]On February 16, 2023, Canales was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their offensive coordinator under head coach Todd Bowles, replacing Byron Leftwich.[12]
Carolina Panthers
[edit]On January 25, 2024, Canales signed a six-year contract to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.[13][14] Canales got his first win as the Panthers' coach on September 22, 2024, in Week 3 at the Las Vegas Raiders 36–22.[15] In his first season as the Panthers head coach, Canales led the team to a 5–12 record.[16]
Head coaching record
[edit]| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| CAR | 2024 | 5 | 12 | 0 | .294 | 3rd in NFC South | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 5 | 12 | 0 | .294 | 0 | 0 | .000 | |||
Personal life
[edit]Canales is married to Lizzy Canales, who he met while attending Azusa Pacific University. They have four children.[17] He is of Mexican descent.[18]
References
[edit]- ^ Foster, Nathan (January 26, 2024). "APU Alumnus Dave Canales '03 Hired as Carolina Panthers Head Coach". Azusa Pacific University. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Cougar Interviews – Dave Canales '02". Azusa Pacific University. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ Hawkins, Jeff (November 26, 2024). "Dave Canales' coaching journey from Carson High to the NFL". SI.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Person, Joseph (February 14, 2024). "Dave Canales' long climb to Panthers' head coach: His boots were made for … coaching". The New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Hill, Kassidy (January 31, 2024). "The man in the photo and the job that changed Dave Canales' life". Panthers.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Dix, Brianna (November 15, 2023). "The Faith-Inspired Rise of Dave Canales". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Moore, Jordan (February 1, 2010). "Canales heads to Seattle". USC Trojans Athletics. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ "Super Bowl XLVIII – Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – February 2nd, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ Auman, Greg (June 6, 2024). "Pete Carroll says protégé Dave Canales will show Panthers 'what they can become'". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Rizzuti, Anthony (January 26, 2024). "Panthers officially name Dave Canales as new HC". Panthers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Gordon, Grant (February 15, 2023). "Buccaneers hiring Seahawks QB coach Dave Canales as offensive coordinator". NFL.com. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ Gordon, Grant (February 15, 2023). "Dave Canales Named Bucs' New Offensive Coordinator". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (January 25, 2024). "Panthers agree to terms with Dave Canales to become head coach". Panthers.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Schefter, Adam (January 25, 2024). "Panthers are giving their new head coach Dave Canales a six-year contract, per source". X.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ "Andy Dalton passes for 319 yards and 3 TDs to lead Panthers past Raiders 36-22 for first win". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ Reed, Steve (January 6, 2025). "With Bryce Young settled at QB, Panthers can focus on rebuilding NFL's worst defense". AP News. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ "Who Is Dave Canales' Wife? Here's Everything You Need To Know About Lizzy Canales". Pro Football Network. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ Fowler, Scott (October 17, 2024). "Panthers coach Dave Canales takes pride in his Hispanic heritage, which fueled NFL rise". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
Further reading
[edit]- Keefer, Zak (August 28, 2024). "Confronting his demons saved Dave Canales' marriage — and made Panthers coach an 'optimist bully'". The Athletic. Retrieved August 28, 2024.