Nate Carroll and Pat McPherson experienced rare continuity as assistant coaches, staying with the same team for an impressive 14 years. However, their paths took a turn when Pete Carroll, the Seahawks’ head coach, transitioned to an unspecified advisory role. Despite this change, both McPherson and Nate Carroll will have another opportunity to work with one of Pete Carroll’s former colleagues.
Dave Canales will reconnect with both McPherson and Nate Carroll in their new roles. McPherson has been hired by the Panthers as their tight ends coach, while Nate Carroll will serve as Carolina’s pass-game coordinator. Notably, Nate, who is Pete’s son, is branching out from Seattle for the first time in his coaching career. While Pete Carroll’s expertise lies in defense, his son has cultivated his skills on the offensive side of the game.
Canales and Nate Carroll collaborated for an impressive 12 years, a rarity in the NFL where coaching turnover is frequent. Pete Carroll’s longevity facilitated this long partnership, and now his son will play a significant role in the Panthers’ efforts to develop Bryce Young, a promising quarterback prospect.
In Seattle, Nate Carroll steadily progressed from an offensive assistant to an assistant wide receivers coach under Canales, who held the position of wideouts coach from 2010 to 2017. Although Nate Carroll transitioned to a senior offensive assistant role in recent years, his move to Charlotte presents him with his most significant coaching responsibility yet. The Panthers are heavily invested in Young’s development, and after their developmental efforts stalled in 2023, Nate Carroll’s expertise will be invaluable.
While Nate Carroll moved around within his father’s coaching staff, McPherson remained in a consistent role throughout his tenure with the Seahawks. From 2010 to 2023, McPherson coached the team’s tight ends, showcasing remarkable stability in today’s NFL. Prior to joining the Seahawks, McPherson also had coaching experience with the Broncos, working with quarterbacks and later transitioning to tight ends under Mike Shanahan’s leadership.
Additionally, the Panthers are adding Daren Bates as their assistant special teams coach and Keli’i Kekuewa as their assistant offensive line coach. Bates, a former NFL linebacker, has a background in special teams and recently transitioned to coaching with the Seahawks. Kekuewa, who previously served as the assistant offensive line coach in Seattle during Shane Waldron’s tenure as offensive coordinator, will bring more familiarity from the Seahawks to the Panthers’ coaching staff.
With Canales’ staff featuring several former Seahawks assistants, there will be no shortage of insider knowledge for restaurant recommendations during trips to Seattle or Tampa. The new Panthers head coach has also recruited assistants from the Buccaneers, including offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, to join his staff.
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