Carolina Panthers introduce new head coach, GM

The Carolina Panthers introduced their new head coach, as well as their new general manager on Thursday.

Last week, the Panthers selected Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their head coach. Canales signed a six-year deal, replacing Frank Reich, who was fired earlier in the season.

The team also announced that the football executive management team will be led by the new Panthers President of Football Operations and General Manager, Dan Morgan.

It is significant that the Panthers hired for both roles at the same time, which is something that hasn’t happened in more than 20 years.

During a press conference Thursday morning, both the GM and head coach set the stage for what they plan to build moving forward.

During the intros, team owner David Tepper used the same word to describe Canales and Morgan.

“They are both connectors,” Tepper explained. He said they have known each other for seven years and even worked two doors down from each other in Seattle.

Morgan said they work so well together because they carry themselves the same way, not just with integrity but as two people who are quite willing to work their butts off.

It’s official: Panthers hire Dave Canales as new head coach

When asked whether or not they felt any pressure to turn the Panthers organization around during one of the worst stretches in the franchise’s history, each man had a different answer.

“No pressure, but a lot of hunger, like a lot of hunger to be great,” Morgan said. “There is a lot of hunger to get this organization back to where it needs to be, which is back in the playoffs and competing for championships year after year. So there’s an urgency with that, that we’re striving towards every single day.”

“I say I’m nervous,” Canales said. “Is that right? I mean, you know, let’s be honest, you know, just getting this opportunity. And I’ve got a ton of excitement about it. I got a lot of things that I’m ready to put to the test.”

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Morgan went on to say the Panthers logo “has to be feared again because right now, it’s not.”

Canales said the plan is to take care of the ball on offense.

“We are going to become what Bryce is great at in the passing game,” Canales explained.

Canales also addressed rumors regarding whether or not defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero would be back. He said yes and added that Evero is a huge part of what they’re doing.

VIDEO: It’s official: Panthers hire Dave Canales as new head coach