Canada promoted to offensive coordinator

Matt Canada, the Steelers quarterback coach for one season, has been promoted to offensive coordinator. Canada replaces Randy Fichtner, who did not see his contract renewed at the end of the 2020 season.

Under Canada, Ben Roethlisberger completed 399 of 608 passes for 3,803 yards, with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, for a rating of 94.1. The Steelers passing game ranked seventh in the AFC and 15th in the NFL.

The Steelers offense implemented reaction sweeps and pre-snap motions early in the season, something Canada is known for in its college coaching career.

Canada joined the Steelers in 2020 from the college ranks where he had two decades of experience as a quarterback coach and offensive coordinator and was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2016, an honor given to top coach college football assistant.

His college background included his offensive units setting academic records at several stops in his career, including Indiana, northern Illinois, Wisconsin, and Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Maryland in 2018. when he was the interim head coach.

Canada served as LSU’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2017, helping quarterback Danny Etling to a solid season where he threw 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while LSU finished the season number one in the country. to say the least of turnovers. .

Canada spent the 2016 season at the University of Pittsburgh as the offensive coordinator, and the Panthers are averaging an academic record of 42 points per game. Pitt led the nation in red zone touchdown percentage (82%) and scored at least 28 points in 12 regular-season games, including a 43-42 win over future National Champion Clemson.

While at NC State (2013-15), he coached quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who threw 43 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions over a two-year period under his leadership. The Wolkpack finished third in the ACC to score the offense in 2015 and scored the most points (41) in the regular season against Clemson, a college football playoff finalist.

Canada played a pivotal role in leading Wisconsin to a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl berth in 2012. The Badgers finished 12th nationally in run offense and Montee Ball won the Doak Walker award as than the best running back in the country.

Prior to joining the Wisconsin staff, Canada carried out offenses in northern Illinois (2003, 2011) and Indiana (2007-10). In 2011, the Huskies won the MAC Championship and placed in the top 12 nationally for points in offense, total offense and run offense. Canada led an offense that scored a school record 412 points in Indiana in 2007, and three different quarterbacks each ranked in the top three for touchdowns, passing yards and completion percentage. only one season.

In his first stint as the Northern Illinois Offensive Coordinator in 2003, the Huskies climbed to 12th in the AP poll. Canada was instrumental in the development of US running back Michael Turner.