Matt Canada, the Steelers’ quarterback coach for one season, was promoted to offensive coordinator. Canada replaces Randy Fichtner, who did not have 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 94.1 rating. The Steelers’ pass game ranked seventh in the AFC and 15th in the NFL.
The Steelers attack implemented jet sweeps and pre-snap movements earlier in the season, something Canada is known for in his coaching career in college.
Canada joined Steelers in 2020 from college, where he had two decades of experience as a center back and offensive coordinator and was a finalist for the Broyles Prize in 2016, a tribute to the top assistant coach in college football.
His college record included his offensive units setting school records at several stops in his career, including Indiana, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Pittsburgh, as well as at the University of Maryland in 2018, when he was the acting head coach.
Canada served as offensive coordinator and coach for defenders at LSU in 2017, helping guide quarterback Danny Etling into a strong season in which he launched 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while LSU ended the season ranked first in the country with less turnovers.
Canada spent the 2016 season at the University of Pittsburgh as an offensive coordinator, and the Panthers averaged a school record of 42 points per game. Pitt led the country in the red zone touchdown percentage (82%) and scored at least 28 points in all 12 games of the regular season, including a 43-42 victory in the eventual national champion Clemson.
While at NC State (2013-15), he trained quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who had 43 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions over a two-year period under his guidance. Wolkpack finished third in ACC in offensive scoring in 2015 and scored the most points (41) in the regular season against College Football finalist Playoff Clemson.
Canada played a critical role in leading Wisconsin to a Big Ten Championship and a place in the Rose Bowl in 2012. The Badgers finished 12th in the national fast attack and Montee Ball won the Doak Walker Award for the best running back in the country.
Before joining the Wisconsin team, Canada led offenses in Northern Illinois (2003, 2011) and Indiana (2007-10). In 2011, the Huskies won the MAC championship and finished in the top 12 nationally in scoring in attack, total attack and rushed attack. Canada led an attack that set a school record of 412 points in Indiana in 2007, and three different defenders, each ranked in the top three in a single season of pass touchdowns, pass yards and completion percentage.
In his first stint as coordinator of the Northern Illinois offensive in 2003, the Huskies rose to 12th place in AP research. Canada was instrumental in the development of the All-American corridor Michael Turner.