Dave Canales (born May 7, 1981) is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023.

Canales played college football at Azusa Pacific and previously served as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks and the University of Southern California (USC).

Early life and playing career

A native of Harbor City, California, Canales attended Carson High School in Carson, California, 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.^[1] He graduated in 2002 from Azusa Pacific with a degree in business administration.

Coaching career

Carson HS

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.^[2]

El Camino College

Canales made the jump to college coaching in 2006 by joining El Camino (Calif.) College. 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

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.

Seattle Seahawks

In 2010, Canales followed Carroll after the latter's acceptance of the Seattle Seahawks' head coaching position. He won his first Super Bowl title when the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.^[3] Canales spent 13 years with the Seahawks, serving in a variety of capacities on the offensive side of the staff. From 2010 through 2017, Canales served as wide receivers coach, he coached prominent players such as Golden Tate, Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett. He then took on the roles of quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2018 through 2022.^[4] 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.^[5]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On February 16, 2023, Canales was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their offensive coordinator under head coach Todd Bowles, replacing Byron Leftwich.^[6]

Carolina Panthers

On January 25, 2024, Canales was hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.^[7]

Head coaching record

Personal life

Canales and his wife, Lizzy, have four children.