Canales began his coaching career serving as the head coach and offensive coordinator of the freshman/sophomore team at his alma mater, Carson High School, from 2004 to 2005.[3]
El Camino College
Canales made the jump to college coaching in 2006 by joining El Camino (Calif.) College. He served as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator in his first year, before transitioning to quarterbacks coach in his final season with the team (2007-08). During his tenure, the school won the California Community College State Championship in 2006 and also secured two Mission Conference titles.
USC
During his time at El Camino College, Canales formed a relationship with Pete Carroll, the head coach of the USC Trojans. In 2009, Canales joined Carroll at USC, where he served as an assistant strength coach for one season.
Seattle Seahawks
In 2010, Canales followed Carroll after the latter's acceptance of the Seattle Seahawks' head coaching position. He won his first Super Bowl title when the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.[4] Canales spent 13 years with the Seahawks, serving in a variety of capacities on the offensive side of the staff. From 2010 through 2017, Canales served as wide receivers coach, he coached prominent players such as Golden Tate, Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett. He then took on the roles of quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2018 through 2022.[5] Canales was credited with assisting in the resurgence of quarterbackGeno Smith's career. In the 2022 season, Smith was highly effective as the team's starting quarterback and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year, while also earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.[6]
On January 25, 2024, Canales signed a six year contract to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.[8][9] Canales got his first win as the Panthers' coach on September 22, 2024, in Week 3 at the Las Vegas Raiders 36-22.[10]