Dave Canales, an American professional football head coach for the Carolina Panthers, won his first game in Week 3 at the Las Vegas Raiders 36-22 on September 22, 2024.
He met his wife, Lizzy Canales while attending Azusa Pacific University, and they have four children.
Highlights
- Dave Canales and Lizzy Canales dated at Azusa Pacific University and have four children.
- Lizzy is a professional writer and speaker with a Master’s in Secondary Health Education.
- The married couple has published a book detailing their journey through challenging times and how they rebuilt their marriage.
David Canales began playing wide receiver and defensive back at Carson High School and continued playing at Azusa Pacific University.
His coaching journey started at his alma mater, Carson High School, where he coached the freshman/sophomore team from 2004 to 2005.
He joined El Camino (Calif.) in 2006 as a tight ends coach and special teams coordinator in his first year and transitioned to quarterbacks coach in his final 2007-2008 season.
His team secured two Mission Conference titles and won the California Community College State Championship in 2006.
Later, he served as an assistant strength coach for one season with the USC Trojans in 2009 and then joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.
Dave spent 13 years with the Seahawks and won his first Super Bowl title when the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired him as their offensive coordinator under head coach Todd Bowles on February 16, 2023.
Nonetheless, on January 25, 2024, he signed a six-year contract to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
Lizzy Canales Helped Dave To Overcome His Addictions
Over the years, Dave Canales and Lizzy Canales have built a strong relationship, meeting at Azusa Pacific University.
Dave asked her on a date when Lizzy returned from her semester abroad. They had kept in touch via emails.
The little break has been nice! One last ride!!! Get back at it tomorrow, Let’s get it Bucs! #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/IdjOScnc9m
— Dave Canales (@TheCoachCanales) July 20, 2023
They are married and have four children: Ashby, Benhamin, Beatrice, and Amaya. When Dave was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they often attended home games.
Lizzy, who has earned a Master’s degree in Secondary Health Education, is a professional writer and speaker. She is committed to health wellness and has dealt with spiritual and personal matters.
She was also an athlete during high school and college and taught CrossFit for nine long years, helping others maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay in shape.
Moreover, Lizzy has been a rock-solid support for Dave and helped him fight addictions to come out stronger.
She shares her life experiences to help others navigate the ups and downs of marriage, faith, and personal growth.
Dave Canales’s Book Discussed His Private Life That Was Unnoticed In NFL Circles
Dave and Lizzy Canales have been open about their struggles, including the athlete’s past addiction issues and infidelity.
They have co-authored a profoundly personal faith-based book, “This Marriage? The Question That Changed Everything.” In it, they detail their journey through challenging times and how they rebuilt their marriage.
Lizzy and I will be on a virtual date night tomorrow at 7:00 PM Central time for my good Friend @Coop_FCA and Middle Tennessee FCA! pic.twitter.com/02ksbilDSl
— Dave Canales (@TheCoachCanales) April 16, 2020
The married couple published their book in September 2022, stating they wanted others to feel safe and help them see that they were not alone.
Dave didn’t shy away from his past mistakes and described that his struggles with pornography were a gateway drug that distorted his view of intimacy.
He opened up about cheating his wife just a month before their wedding.
He cheated on her for the first time at his bachelor party, and bad habits combined with addiction made it hard for him to resist temptation.
Dave told his parents and parents-in-law of his infidelity.
He used to take off his wedding ring and act like he wasn’t married while out with friends. However, he overcame his addiction issues and infidelity and lived happily with his wife and children.
They found their way back to a Christian-based marriage partly through counseling.
It is admirable that the married couple repaired their marriage and used their experience to inspire others. They turned their struggles into a source of hope and support for others.
Additional Information
- Dave Canales, the son of Isaac and Ritha Canales, was born on May 7, 1981, in Harbor City, California.
- He graduated with a business administration degree from Azusa Pacific University in 2003.
- He was a wide receivers coach from 2010 through 2017 and took on the roles of quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for the Seahawks from 2018.
- His net worth is estimated at $5 million as of 2024.