PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers have indeed hired from within to fill the offensive coordinator position. After one year of NFL coaching experience, Steelers promote Matt Canada to lead their offense.
Canada starred as an offensive coordinator at Pitt in 2016 as the program jumped to 42 points a game (10th in the NCAA). It was highlighted by Steelers free agent running back James Conner rushing for 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns, fullback George Aston going from no carries the previous year to 10 total touchdowns and had seven players total 100+ receiving yards from quarterback Nate Peterman (2855 yards, 27 TD, 7 INT). Receiver Quadree Henderson would also rush for 631 yards (10.5 avg) with five touchdowns, much of that on jet sweeps that we saw a hint of with the Steelers in 2020.
While it’s often noted about the short-terms that Canada spent at colleges, that’s not atypical of a coach moving up the ranks. It’s also worth noting that two of the schools where he once coached (Indiana and Northern Illinois) he would later return. He hasn’t burned bridges or had bad relationships as much as been suggested.
A trait that stands out about Canada’s quarterbacks is the lack of turnovers. His one year at LSU, Danny Etling was a plus 14 in TD to INT. Jacoby Brissett was plus 32 in two seasons at NC State. Peterson was a plus 20 at Pitt.
Steelers rookie tailback Anthony McFarland spoke highly of Canada when he served as his offensive coordinator and interim head coach at Maryland in 2018. McFarland rushed for 7.9 yards a carry in Canada’s offense and he says Canada was like a father figure to him.
“Matt Canada is one hell of a coach,” McFarland said in May. “Actually one of my favorite coaches I ever had. Left a big, big, big impact on me when he left Maryland. He showed how he cared for us not just on the field. He showed how he cared for us. Always checking up on me, off the field, making sure I’m doing the right things. Telling me right from wrong.”
“He wants to make you better. It’s about the way he coaches. Guys are going to gravitate towards them. His attitude towards the game. The way he speaks. It’s positive. That’s what I love about matt Canada.”
Now after a year learning some of the personalities and abilities of the offense, Canada now takes charge of a group dead last in rushing and 12th in points per game.