South Charlotte Today

Dave Canales will be walking into work this week with a significant task ahead. The exact manner of his approach—whether it's a walk, bounce, or near sprint—is less important than the work itself.

"He's all about the work, all about the ball," said defensive tackle Derrick Brown. "He's even. He doesn't fuss or freak out. Just get the work done."

Energy is a notable aspect of Canales's profile, often highlighted due to its visibility. Former Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield called him an "optimist bully," while former Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung praised his "relentless positivity."

After several months with their new head coach, Panthers players are recognizing that Canales offers more than just enthusiasm. Veteran backup quarterback Andy Dalton admitted he was unsure what to expect when Canales was hired, initially anticipating a Pete Carroll clone.

"Seattle was an energetic place... How is he going to make that his own?" Dalton pondered. "It's been fun to get to know him... he's obviously an energetic guy... but how genuine he is with it all."

Players appreciate authenticity in their coaches, especially in the demanding environment of the NFL. Dalton emphasized the importance of genuineness: "I think everybody can read through when somebody's being a little fake... He's shown that from the beginning."

Canales's first team meeting lasted less than 10 minutes before they got to work, leaving lasting impressions on veteran players like wide receiver Adam Thielen.

"I think it's the aura that he gives off when you're around him," Thielen said. "Just, hey, we're prepared and we're not stressed about the results... And that's the stuff you feel from him in the meeting like, hey, this isn't that hard; it's just football."

Canales's approach emphasizes efficiency and preparation over mere energy displays. During OTAs, he demonstrated this by calmly correcting practice errors without yelling.

Dalton noted Canales’s effective delegation: "He gives Will (Harriger) the freedom to run the meeting... But when there is something that he feels is very important, he's going to say something and he does it in a way that comes across as OK."

For veterans like Thielen and Brown, Canales’s calm demeanor has been a welcome change from previous experiences with high-energy but less effective coaches.

"Yeah, he's definitely calmer than I expected," Thielen remarked. "He's got positive vibes and positive energy... He's just the same guy, same demeanor day in and day out."

Brown echoed these sentiments: "We go to practice now; we work... He makes sure everything's right... It's just all about the ball."