Panthers hiring Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales in head coaching stunner

The Panthers are poaching an NFC South rival for Frank Reich’s permanent replacement.

Carolina brass is nearing a deal on Thursday to hire Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their next head coach, according to multiple reports.

The 42-year-old Canales is coming off a successful first-year run as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, with the Buccaneers — along with a resurgent Baker Mayfield — reaching the divisional round of the playoffs before a 31-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

The Panthers, who drafted former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young first overall last year, fired Reich midway through the season, in which they finished 2-15.