Panthers HC Dave Canales gives early impressions of owners David, Nicole Tepper

So, what is it like working for the Teppers?

New Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales was the featured guest on Tuesday’s episode of The Season with Peter Schrager . Host Peter Schrager (obviously) asked Canales about the early stages of his working relationship with team owners David and Nicole Tepper.

“That’s been fantastic,” he replied. “I see a couple who is really passionate about their team. And sometimes, Nicole more than David—she just like absolutely loves Panthers football. And the whole thing, the community—she’s like so fired up to serve and find, like, ‘Who can we bless? Who can we go and spread this . . . ?’ Her deal’s like, ‘I just wanna come out to practice and enjoy the energy of what I’m seeing.'”

The feeling seems to be mutual with Nicole, who has previously lauded Canales for his energy and his attention to detail.

And what about David?

“And with David—to be able to be with him and pick his brain and, like, lean on the successes that he’s had. He’s unbelievably successful in terms of like when we think of leadership and all those things. I’m able to kinda sit with him and watch him just, like, courageously bring us together. ‘Ok, let’s evaluate free agency. Let’s evaluate the draft process. How did that go, guys? How was it? What went well? What didn’t go well? Why not?’

“And there’s no blame, there’s none of that. It’s just like can we speak the truth? Can we go into things with our eyes open and courageously say, ‘Ok, this didn’t work, let’s fix it, let’s move forward?'”

Dave is David’s third head-coaching choice over the last five years.

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