According to multiple league sources, the Carolina Panthers plan to hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their new head coach.
The Panthers fired former coach Frank Reich in November after starting the season 1-10; and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor served as interim coach for the remainder of the campaign. The Panthers finished with a 7-10 record, with their offense ranked second-to-last in points scored. They totaled the fewest yards in the NFL, passed for the fewest yards, and threw the third-fewest touchdown passes. The rushing offense ranked 20th.
The 42-year-old Canales was hired in February as Buccaneers offensive coordinator after spending the previous 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, working under coach Pete Carroll as an assistant, passing game coordinator and quarterbacks and wide receivers coach. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield revived his career under Canales, achieving career-highs in completion percentage (64.3%), passing yards (4,044) and touchdown passes (28). He also threw just 10 interceptions over 17 starts, leading the Buccaneers (9-8) to the playoffs.
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