Pitt Panthers Hire Former NC State OC Matt Canada
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Former NC State offensive coordinator Matt Canada has been hired as the Pitt Panthers new offensive coordinator.
KDKA's Rich Walsh reported that Canada met with Narduzzi and the coaching staff Thursday and the team made Canada's hiring official Friday afternoon.
Canada has worked with head coach Pat Narduzzi in the past, the two coached together at Northern Illinois.
Canada was relieved of his duties at NC State Sunday.
Under Canada's direction, NC State averaged more than 30 points per game each of the past two seasons. In 2015, the Wolfpack scored 33.2 points per contest, the third highest average in school history.
In a press release Friday afternoon, head coach Pat Narduzzi said "I've known Matt and his family for a very long time and I feel very fortunate to bring him to Pittsburgh," Narduzzi said. "Matt is an innovative offensive mind, excellent teacher of quarterback play and strong recruiter and evaluator. He is a great leader who will provide our team and staff with a real spark. Most importantly, Matt is a tremendously loyal person who will be a great fit for Pitt."
Prior to NC State, Canada was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wisconsin during the 2012 season. Led by All-America running back Montee Ball, the Badgers averaged 236.4 rushing yards per game to rank 13th nationally. Ball, who rushed for 1,830 yards and 22 touchdowns, was named the recipient of the prestigious Doak Walker Award, annually presented to the nation's top running back.
He has had stints at NC State, Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Indiana, and Butler University.
Canada is a 1993 graduate of Indiana who began his coaching career as a Hoosiers student assistant (1992-93) and graduate assistant (1994-95). He earned his first full-time coaching appointment at Butler University, where he coached quarterbacks and wide receivers in 1996 and was the offensive coordinator in 1997.
Pitt offensive coordinator Jim Chaney left the Panthers to take the same position at Georgia.