Dave Canales for Coach of the Year - NY Times

[dep]

Quote

Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers (+2500)

Canales’ odds are actually worse than they were during the preseason (+1400), which is at least a little peculiar. The Panthers exceeded their preseason win total of 6.5 with their upset of the Rams on Sunday. Frankly, if Canales can lead Carolina to its first postseason appearance since 2017, his candidacy will get a lot more attention. It’s hardly out of the question, as the Panthers trail the increasingly shaky Bucs by just a half-game in the NFC South, and two games with Tampa Bay remain on the schedule. Still, there’s the feeling that Carolina’s success has been done with a lot of smoke and mirrors, as it ranks 22nd in EPA per play on offense and 25th in EPA per play on defense.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6855384/2025/12/02/nfl-coach-of-the-year-odds-mike-vrabel-ben-johnson/

 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Agree

[PanthersATL]

his name should be in contention

according to stupid AI stuff, here's the criteria. Dave checks most, if not all, of the boxes

Key criteria for the award

• Team improvement: A significant year-over-year improvement in wins is a common factor. 
• Elite record: Achieving a winning record, often with 10 or more wins, is a strong indicator. 
• Overcoming adversity: Success despite injuries or other significant challenges can make a coach a strong candidate. 
• Narrative: The award is often narrative-driven, rewarding coaches who are seen as having a breakout season or turning around a struggling team. 
• Lack of a star quarterback: Coaches are more likely to be credited if their quarterback is not perceived as an elite, MVP-caliber player. 

[Jon Snow]

Mike Vabrel is getting this year.

[Loyalty4Life]

I nominate Raheem Morris for still having a job.

[SmokinwithWilly]

3 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

Mike Vabrel is getting this year.

I can't see anyone but Vabrel getting it. He turned that team around in a big damn hurry. 

[Loyalty4Life]

When do they have to vote?

With all the dysfunction in Chicago and the stories coming out about Calab earlier this year, I'd go with Ben Johnson.

[Jon Snow]

Just now, SmokinwithWilly said:

I can't see anyone but Vabrel getting it. He turned that team around in a big damn hurry. 

He is a lock at the moment. He would have to get bounced from the playoffs un embarrassing fashion to even have the voters question it. Canales would have to get to the nfc title game i would imagine to even enter the conversation. 

[Jon Snow]

1 minute ago, Loyalty4Life said:

When do they have to vote?

With all the dysfunction in Chicago and the stories coming out about Calab earlier this year, I'd go with Ben Johnson.

He's probably #2 right now. He's got to make some noise in the playoffs like Canales will need to if they want to be taken seriously. 

[jb2288]

Ben Johnson deserves it, but having us with a winning record going into week 14 bye is insane. Dave has proved he's a great coach, albeit is still figuring things out on the job, and I crack up seeing people on here say he's trash. 

[mrcompletely11]

Over vabrel or Johnson?    Gtfo

[Stuart Smith]

29 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

Mike Vabrel is getting this year.

Yes, agree. Ben Johnson 2nd. This could change, but you can’t overlook Vabrel.

[tukafan21]

Guy should be in contention for getting fired before he's in contention for COY.

He's a HC who made his bones as a QB/Passing coach, but we're winning because of our defense and running game, despite him doing his best efforts to mess with the running game mid season.

He gets 100% credit for the very impressive turnaround he's done on our locker room culture, no question about it and I'm very thankful for that as it was really ugly before him.  But that only goes so far for me, and I can't stand his game planning and play calling, they're atrocious.  In today's NFL, if you can't be a great game day coach, you're never going to win at a high level.

I'm obviously one of those who want to move on from Bryce this offseason, but I want to move on from Canales significantly more.

Good guy, great locker room leader, but I just don't see it from him as an actual coach, especially one who is basically also the OC for all intents and purposes.  There aren't a lot of Dan Campbell's out there who can be a great coach just as a leader, and they need outstanding coordinators and players to make it work.

[CRA]

I mean, it’s Vrabel and not close IMO.   Ben Johnson at #2.  But yeah, if you want to recognize other HCs that aren’t going to win but deserve a head nod….Canales deserves one for this schizophrenic semi success.