CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — New Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales has completed his coaching staff for the 2024 season.
On Thursday, the team announced hiring five new coaches, as well as a football support staff member. They include several more with connections to the Seahawks, where Canales and General Manager Dan Morgan have prior career stops:
- Will Harriger: Quarterbacks
- Nathan Carroll: Pass game coordinator
- Pat McPherson: Tight ends
- Keli’i Kekuewa: Assistant offensive line
- Daren Bates: Special teams assistant
- Scott Cooper: Director of coaching development
In addition to the new faces, Canales has also retained 13 assistants, including the entire defensive staff, led by coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Harriger spent five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, including two years alongside Canales as assistant quarterbacks coach. He also coached with the Jaguars before joining the USC Trojans staff, working with quarterbacks, including Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams, the past two seasons.
Carroll is the son of legendary Seahawks coach, Pete Carroll. He first joined his dad’s staff in 2011 and was moved to the offensive side of the ball in 2013. Since then, he’s risen through the ranks on the offensive staff, working as the assistant wide receivers coach.
McPherson has been coaching in the NFL since 1998, spending his entire time with just two teams; the Denver Broncos (1998-2008) and the Seattle Seahawks (2010-2023). His entire time with the Seahawks, McPherson served as the tight ends coach.
Kekuewa is a Bowling Green product, who went on to coach in the college ranks, before joining the NFL. He joined the Seahawks as an offensive assistant before moving to assistant offensive line coach in 2021.
Bates played collegiately at Auburn followed by a long career as linebacker in the NFL, last playing with the Falcons in 2021. He joined the Seahawks staff in 2023 as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.