Matt Canada (born January 19, 1972) is an American football coach who most recently served as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Maryland, LSU, Pittsburgh, NC State, Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Butler, and Indiana.
 Canada in 2019 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | January 19, 1972 New Palestine, Indiana, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | New Palestine High School |
| College: | Indiana |
| Position: | Offensive Coordinator |
| Career history | |
| As a coach: | |
| |
| Head coaching record | |
| Career: | NCAA: 5–7 (.417) |
| Coaching stats at PFR | |
Early life and education edit
Canada attended New Palestine High School in New Palestine, Indiana. He spent two years as the starting quarterback, throwing for 1,736 yards while leading his team to a 20–3 record. Canada then attended Indiana University Bloomington where he became a student assistant for the football program during his sophomore year.[1]
Coaching career edit
Early career edit
Canada's coaching career includes early stints at Indiana, Butler, Northern Illinois and Wisconsin.[2] In 2011, Canada served an integral role in leading Northern Illinois to the MAC championship, and he served an integral role in leading Wisconsin to the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game.[3]
NC State edit
In 2013, Canada became offensive coordinator at NC State working under head coach Dave Doeren. Canada had previously worked under Doeren at Northern Illinois in 2011. After the 2014 season, Canada agreed to a new 3-year contract with NC State shortly after interviewing for the offensive coordinator job at Tennessee.[4] He was subsequently let go by NC State following the 2015 season.[5]
Pitt edit
In 2016, Canada was hired as offensive coordinator at Pitt.[6] For his work during the 2016 season, he was named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college football.[7]
LSU edit
On December 14, 2016, Canada was hired to become the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at LSU.[8] He held those positions for the 2017 season and on January 5, 2018, LSU and Canada mutually agreed to part ways.[9]
Maryland edit
On January 22, 2018, Canada agreed to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Maryland.[10]
On August 11, 2018, Canada became interim head coach for the Maryland Terrapins after D.J. Durkin was put on administrative leave following the death of Jordan McNair, an offensive lineman for the Maryland Terrapins.[11] On November 17, 2018, Maryland came close to knocking off #3 ranked Ohio State, narrowly losing 52-51 in overtime.[12] Maryland finished the season 5-7, failing to qualify for a bowl game. After Mike Locksley was hired as the permanent head coach at Maryland going forward, Canada was relieved of the day-to-day head coaching responsibilities.[13] Canada was then replaced by Scottie Montgomery as offensive coordinator.[14]
Pittsburgh Steelers edit
On January 15, 2020, Canada was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers as their quarterbacks coach.[15] On January 25, 2021, Canada was promoted to offensive coordinator of the Steelers, replacing Randy Fichtner.[16] During his tenure with the Steelers, Canada was the source of scrutiny, largely due to his playcalling, as the Steelers offense was ranked near the bottom of the league.[17][18] On November 21, 2023, Canada was fired by the Steelers; this was the first time since 1941 that the Steelers had made a mid-season coaching change.[19]
Personal life edit
Canada earned his bachelor's in Business and master's degree in Sports Administration[20] at Indiana University. He is married to Erin Canada.
Head coaching record edit
College edit
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Terrapins (Big Ten Conference) (2018) | |||||||||
| 2018 | Maryland | 5–7 | 3–6 | 5th (East) | |||||
| Maryland: | 5–7 | 3–6 | |||||||
| Total: | 5–7 | ||||||||
References edit
- ^ "With Matt Canada back home, you might see a bunch of 'central Indiana folks with Maryland gear'". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^ "Wisconsin hires Matt Canada". espn.com. January 17, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
- ^ "Matt Canada". pittsburghpanthers.com. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
- ^ "NC State, OC Matt Canada agree to three-year extension". si.com. January 29, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ "NC State offensive coordinator Matt Canada let go after three seasons". si.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ "Pat Narduzzi taps Matt Canada as Pitt Offensive Corrdinator". pittsburghpanthers.com. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
- ^ "Pitt's Matt Canada a finalist for nation's top assistant coach". post-gazette.com. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
- ^ "Pitt's Matt Canada hired to be LSU's new O-coordinator". espn.com. December 14, 2016.
- ^ "LSU, OC Matt Canada agree to mutually part ways". theadvocate.com. January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Matt Canada hired by Maryland after stint at LSU". espn.com. January 23, 2018.
- ^ "Maryland coach DJ Durkin placed on leave by administration as investigation begins". August 11, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
- ^ "Ohio State 52-51 Maryland (Nov 17, 2018) Final Score". ESPN.
- ^ Giambalvo, Emily; Stubbs, Roman (December 4, 2018). "Mike Locksley reaches deal to be Maryland football coach". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Scottie Montgomery joins Maryland football staff as offensive coordinator". Washington Post. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ Varley, Teresa (January 15, 2020). "Canada named QB coach". Steelers.com. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ Varley, Teresa (January 25, 2021). "Canada promoted to offensive coordinator". www.steelers.com. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ "Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada is getting booed. Time to silence fans may be running out". AP News. September 21, 2023.
- ^ Holcomb, Dave (October 1, 2023). "Steelers' Matt Canada Put on Blast After Play Call Leads to QB Kenny Pickett Injury". Heavy.com.
- ^ "Steelers fire OC Matt Canada after offensive struggles". ESPN.com. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Matt Canada - Football Coach".