The Carolina Panthers were in need of a new head coach after the team fired head coach Frank Reich during the middle of the season. While many thought that the team would ultimately end up hiring a more experienced and veteran candidate like former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, it sounds like the team is actually going in a pretty surprising direction.
According to a report from league insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Carolina Panthers are bringing in Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their next head coach, a move that Rapoport characterizes as a “surprise” from the Panthers.
“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,” Rapoport said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
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 has indeed had success with Mayfield this season as the former No. 1 overall pick had the best and most productive season of his NFL career playing in Canales’ offense this season.
We’ll have to see how he handles his first season as a head coach.
