LSU coach Ed Orgeron announced Wednesday morning the hiring of Matt Canada as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Tigers.
“When I first sat down with (athletic director) Joe Alleva and we mapped out a plan for LSU football, we agreed that we were going to demand excellence on both sides of the ball,” said Orgeron. “We want a defense that’s impenetrable and an offense that’s exciting and unstoppable. Anyone who wants to play football at the highest levels is going to want to play at LSU.”
Canada guided a Pittsburgh offense that lit up the scoreboard in 2016, averaging 42.3 points per game (10th in FBS), 6.67 yards per play (16th) and had the nation’s best red zone touchdown conversion rate (82.7 percent) — all much better numbers than the product prior to his arrival.
“We want coaches who will represent this program with integrity, who recognize that character is as important as wins,” said Alleva. “We want coaches who pay attention to every detail and hold these young student-athletes accountable, on and off the field.”
Canada comes to LSU with 25 years of coaching experience with stops at North Carolina State (2013-15), Wisconsin (2012), North Illinois (1998-2003; 2011), and Indiana (2004-10).
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
