Dave Canales could be forgiven for being a little nervous this week. The Carolina Panthers head coach is preparing for his first regular season game as a top coach. He’s been in the league a long time. Nothing compares to this.
Canales took on a monumental task this offseason. The Panthers were at rock bottom after a two-win season that quickly made them the laughing stock of the NFL. His unparalleled enthusiasm and glass-half-full mentality were desperately needed. More importantly, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator brought everyone together and a common goal in mind.
This was undoubtedly a positive as the Panthers look to regain their respectability in 2024. But the proof is in the trying.
Fans have been fed false promises and delusions of grandeur before. They are more cautious with this new regime, and rightly so. Regaining trust is as important as winning games this season. That won’t be lost on Canales, whose incisive, passionate approach to motivating the entire franchise has been largely well-received all summer.
Business is picking up now.
All it takes is one bad start to the season to derail that optimism. That could cause panic, especially given the impulsive nature of team owner David Tepper. But Canales is trying to stay balanced, relying on the traits that have gotten him this far and leaning on experienced figures – both within the organization and from his past – according to comments on the team’s website.
“I think the important part in our weekly meetings, in coordinating things, is the feel for practice. It’s really about finding our way, finding the Panthers’ way of doing things, based on our personnel, based on our players and the character of this team. I think it’s so important to keep it in our métier in different ways. So there are some things that are a little bit different. What encouraged me the most was to say if I can focus on the things that mattered to these guys, that mattered to Tony (Dungy), that mattered to coach (Dom) Capers, that mattered to coach (Jim) Caldwell, that are in the building, and keep our focus, then I feel like we can really build a good, solid team with the right mentality and philosophy.”
– Dave Canales via Panthers.com
Canales is not alone. While too much of the staff looked out for their own interests under Frank Reich in 2023 when things started poorly, there is more cohesion and cooperation this time around. The head coach is a disciple of Pete Carroll – something you can see every day in his approach. He valued that more than almost anything else.
This is much more than just a regular week. It’s a chance for Canales to make his mark and show the improvements that have been made in Carolina after another preseason of major changes. No one is expecting a Houston Texans-like surge coming into the league immediately. What fans expect is fundamentally solid football and passion for the logo.
That’s the minimum requirement considering how things have panned out under the previous two head coaches. Canales is optimistic about his team’s chances and was thrilled with how everyone has pitched in this offseason. He’s also seeking advice from those who have experienced the ups and downs that come with a head coaching job in the NFL. That can only benefit him given the tough challenges ahead.
It’s a support system that Canales can rely on in good times and bad. Hopefully it will have the desired effect and the Panthers can begin their long climb back to the top of the league table.
