American football coach Dave Canales is the head coach of the Carolina Panthers as of march 2025. He started his coaching career as an offensive coordinator at Carson High School in 2004. Since then, Canales has worked in versatile coaching positions for several organisations. He entered the NFL as wide receivers coach for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010. After two decades of hard work in the coaching field, Canales was appointed as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2024.

Growing up in California, he was a quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back as well. Canales went on to begin his coaching career at the same high school that he attended. Canales was a free safety who was nominated to the all-league first team in 1997 as a junior after setting a school record with 149 tackles for defensive backs. Additionally, spent one season running track and two years playing shortstop and first base for the Colt baseball team. Canales Finished school with a 3.85 GPA. He committed to the Azusa Pacific University in 2000.

Dave Canales’ Early Life, Personal Life, and Family Background

Dave Canales was born on May 7, 1981, in Harbor City, California. He grew up attending Carson High School as a player who could play several positions. Canales played college football for three years at Azusa Pacific. He graduated in 2003 from Azusa Pacific with a degree in business administration. Canales went back to his high school after college pursuing a career in coaching.

Dave Canales Contract and Salary

Dave Canales signed a six-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in March 2025.

Dave Canales Coaching History

Dave Canales entered the football coaching profession with Carson High School where he studied himself. Canales was appointed as the offensive coordinator for his first role in this chapter. Since then, Canales has served in many positions and colleges before entering the NFL in 2010.

Carson High School (2004-2005)

At his alma mater, Carson High School, Canales started his coaching career in 2004–05 as the head coach and offensive coordinator of the freshman/sophomore squad.

El Camino (2006-2008)

Canales took a leap after two years joining the college coaching in 2006. He even went on to win the California Community College State Championship in 2006 and managed to secure two Mission Conference titles as well. Canales worked as the team's tight ends coach and special teams coordinator during his rookie season before taking over as quarterbacks coach for his final campaign (2007–08).

USC (2009)

Dave Canales went on to become the assistant strength coach of USC in 2009.

Seattle Seahawks (2010-2022)

Dave Canales was recruited by the Seattle Seahawks as their Wide receivers coach in 2010. His debut year in the NFL was stamped on a high as he competed the year winning the Super Bowl XLVIII against the Broncos in 2010. Canales served as a versatile coach who took on roles like Assistant, Quarterback Coach and Passing game coordinator in his reign. He departed ways with the Seahawks while he was their quarterback coach in 2022.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Dave Canales as their Offensive coordinator in 2023. He worked under the head coach Todd Bowles during his year’s time at the team.

Carolina Panthers (2024-Present)

Dave Canales signed a six-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, their head coach on January 25, 2024. He registered his first win in the NFL as a head coach in September 2024 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Dave Canales Playing Career

Carson High School

Dave Canales started his football career in high school in Carson, California. He was a quarterback and defensive back as well. Canales recorded 13 TDs earning an all-league honour in his senior year. As a 1997 junior, he was named to the all-league first team. Canales was a free safety after setting a school record in tackles for DBs at 149.

Azusa Pacific University

Dave Canales played at the Azusa Pacific University from 2000-2003. He appeared in 7 games as a freshman having seven receptions for 40 yards. He was redshirted in order to take classes the following year. Making a comeback in the team, he only appeared in one game in 2002 due to injuries. Canales ended up with 27 receptions for 293 yards and one touchdown in his college career.

Dave Canales Achievements and Awards

Dave Canales Family

Dave Canales was born to Isaac and Ritha Canales on March 7, 1981, in Harbor City, California.

Dave Canales Father

Isaac Canales is the father of Dave Canales. He was raised in a Los Angeles neighbourhood known as the "projects" in the 1960s and eventually attended Harvard, a prominent university. After his return, Isaac raised three children with Ritha, the mother of Dave Canales. (as per the Buccaneers' website)

Dave Canales Mother

Ritha Canales is the mother of Dave Canales.

Dave Canales Siblings

Dave Canales has two brothers Josh and Jacob. Josh was an All-Pac 10 player at UCLA. Choosing to specialise in applied health he wished to continue on to medical school. He now is the third senior pastor of the church which was founded by their grandparents in 1959.

Dave Canales Wife

Lizzy Canales is Dave Canales’ wife. The couple met when they were Azusa Pacific students. As part of her global studies program, Lizzy worked for a nonprofit during her semester abroad in Bolivia. When she returned, Dave contacted her via email and asked her out on a date, and the two became email friends. Dave and Lizzy Canales got married in 2006. (via the Buccaneers’ official website)

Lizzy was an athlete in high school and college, much like Dave. Lizzy loves helping others maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay in shape and spent nine gruelling years teaching CrossFit thanks to her Master's degree in Secondary Health Education.

Dave Canales Kids

Dave Canales has four kids Ashby, Ben, Bea and Amaya.