So far Pat Narduzzi’s search for a new offensive coordinator to replace the departed Jim Chaney has been a pretty quiet one as very few names have leaked out.
However one name has been confirmed for an interview in former North Carolina State offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Canada and Narduzzi are familiar with each other, having coached together at Northern Illinois.
Richie Walsh of KDKA was the first to report that Canada was in town interviewing and now according to Sports Illustrated, it appears that Canada will indeed be the new Pitt offensive coordinator.
Just found out former NC State OC Matt Canada in town interviewing for Pitt OC job. Narduzzi and Canada coached together at N. Illinois
— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) January 8, 2016
Canada was fired earlier in the season by NC State and has also coached at Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Indiana, and Butler University. He is also rumored to be on the radar at some bigger programs as well.
North Carolina State firing Canada was a bit surprising as his offense this year was ranked No. 42 in points per game, No. 57 in passing yards and No. 31 in rushing yards per game. The Wolfpack were third in the ACC in scoring this season (33.2 points per game) behind just North Carolina and Clemson.
Under Canada, North Carolina State was also 31st nationally in rushing yards per game this season (202.1). Last season, his offense averaged 6.0 yards per play and racked up 5,311 yards of total offense, second- and fourth-best, respectively, in school history.
The Wolfpack’s average scoring increased each of the past two seasons, averaging 33.2 points per game this past season. NC State also committed just 13 turnovers this season, fifth fewest in the nation. The Wolfpack also made a tremendous stride in red zone touchdown percentage under Canada and were one of the more touchdown efficient teams in the nation inside the red zone.
Granted their schedule was very soft, but the Wolfpack still had a very productive offense.
The Pitt offensive coordinator position became available when Chaney took the same position in early December.
Photo Credit: Scout.com
