North Carolina State University Athletics
Canales Named Wolfpack Quarterback Coach
3/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Norm Chow Protege Will Coach Spring Drills for NC State.
RALEIGH, NC -- NC State head football coach Chuck Amato has announced that Michael Canales, who has served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of South Florida since 1996, has been tabbed to coach quarterbacks for the Wolfpack. Canales will replace Norm Chow, who was named offensive coordinator at the University of Southern California in January. He will be on the job next week when the Wolfpack begins spring workouts.
"I know that Michael is going to add so much to our staff and to our program," said Amato. "He is an outstanding young coach with a great future in front of him and I'm glad that future includes North Carolina State University."
"Coming to North Carolina State and working with Chuck Amato and his staff is a great opportunity for me," said Canales. "He knows what it takes to take a program to the highest level and I'm looking forward to helping bring that type of success to the NC State program. I'm excited about working with Philip Rivers and the other quarterbacks. I want to continue to develop Philip's quarterback skills, make him an all-conference quarterback and bring home a conference championship."
The 39-year-old Canales has been responsible for developing and implementing the offensive scheme at South Florida since 1996. Prior to his stint at USF, he served as an assistant coach for a year at the University of the Pacific, where he was responsible for quarterbacks and kickers. At Pacific, he coached two quarterbacks who are currently playing professional football. Gio Carmazzi plays for the San Francisco 49ers, while Graham Leigh is on the XFL's Birmingham Thunderbolts roster.
From 1987-94, Canales served as the offensive coordinator and coached quarterbacks and wide receivers at Snow College in Ephriam, Utah. At Snow, he coached four junior college All-Americans.
From 1985-87, he served as a graduate assistant coach at Brigham Young University. At BYU, he worked with quarterbacks and wide receivers under the tutelage of Chow, as well as helping coach the Cougar defensive backs. During his tenure at BYU, the Cougars played in the Citrus and Freedom Bowls.
"I think it is a big bonus that Michael has been involved with a West Coast offense and that he learned under Norm Chow," Amato continued. "He brings another element to our offensive staff that will help us continue to improve."
A native of Palm Springs, California, Canales was a three-year starter at quarterback under Bruce Snyder at Utah State University. He also played one year of baseball for the Aggies. He graduated from Utah State in 1984 with a B.S. in speech communication - television and radio. He earned his master's in professional leadership and physical education from BYU in 1986.
Canales is married to the former Kimberly Constantine of Tampa, Fla. and the couple has one son, Cameron (2 mos.). Canales has three other sons: Christopher (18), Tyler (13), and Dakota (10).
