Well, it didn’t take too long for new head coach Ed Orgeron to start making some coaching changes to his staff. After many believed he could land Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin on his coaching staff, Coach O went ahead and hired Pitt’s Matt Canada to be LSU’s next offensive coordinator. The decision came after Orgeron learned that Kiffin took the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic University. I think it’s a great hire for LSU, who have had their struggles over the past few years putting up points. Canada was the play caller behind one of the most explosive offenses in the country this past season. Take a look at Canada’s previous coaching stops prior to his new gig at LSU:
Matt Canada Coaching Stops
- 1994: Indiana (Graduate Assistant/Quarterbacks)
- 1995: Indiana (Graduate Assistant/Tight Ends)
- 1996: Butler (Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers)
- 1997: Butler (Offensive Coordinator)
- 1998-2000: Northern Illinois (Running backs)
- 2001-2002: Northern Illinois (Quarterbacks)
- 2003: Northern Illinois (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
- 2004: Indiana (Quarterbacks)
- 2005-2006: Indiana (Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator)
- 2007-2010: Indiana (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
- 2011: Northern Illinois (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
- 2012: Wisconsin (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
- 2013-2015: NC State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
- 2016: Pitt (Offensive Coordinator)
Matt Canada Facts
- While at Pitt, Canada’s offense averaged 42.3 points a game, which was 10th best in the country. He also helped lead Pitt to a school record 508 points scored on the season.
- Canada’s coaching style revolves around getting his playmakers the ball, and usually calls a lot of screens and bubble passes.
- During his one year at Pitt, he was nominated for the Broyles Award, which recognizes the best assistant coach in all of college football.
- Although he was only Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator for one year, he helped lead a run-heavy offense for the Badgers, and running back Montee Ball won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back.