Pitt turns to Canada to replace Chaney
Shortly after Pat Narduzzi announced that Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney was leaving for Georgia Pitt fans (myself included) began scouring the Internet looking potential replacement candidates. The usual suspects Youngstown, Oh natives, former Michigan State coaches, current Michigan State coaches, old Pitt coaches (yes Walt Harris was even mentioned)and coaches with absolutely no link to Narduzzi or culture fit.
If we would have just looked a little deeper in Narduzzi’s bio. We would have noticed from 2000-2002 coach Narduzzi and Matt Canada were on Joe Novak’s Northern Illinois staff. Following the 2002 season Narduzzi became defensive coordinator at Miami of Ohio. The two young coaches parted ways, but kept tabs on each other’s careers.
So besides a common employer with Pat Narduzzi what makes Matt Canada a fit at the University of Pittsburgh? To start I look back Canada’s time before NC State. Prior to arriving there he replaced none other than Paul Chryst at the University of Wisconsin on Bret Bielema’s 2012 staff. This means he’s already in his career adapted a system to fit a Paul Chryst/Wisconsin-type roster. The majority of our juniors and seniors with the exception of transfers is made up of Chryst’s offensive recruits. Prior to Wisconsin playing in the Rose Bowl, Bret Bielema accepted the Arkansas job.
Systematically I wouldn’t expect much of a change from the way Jim Chaney approached attacking a defense. He’s going to exploit mismatches, use a multitude of formations and based of the way Chaney schematically used Nate Peterman I expect more of a lateral passing attack as opposed to a vertical one. The variation is most likely going to be in the running game. Chaney attempted to convert to a zone blocking scheme with subpar results versus a power blocking scheme which fit the personnel better in my opinion. Zone blocking schemes require footwork and agility from offensive linemen. Typically the are lighter/quick twitch body type player. Not what we have on the roster.
I feel with continued staff continuity and the upward trend that recruiting is taking, Canada has a very good chance to flourish at Pitt.
Matt Canada bio
Pitt (OC / QB)
2013–2015 NC State (OC / QB)
2012 Wisconsin (OC / QB)
2011 Northern Illinois (OC / QB)
2007–2010 Indiana (OC / QB)
2005–2006 Indiana (QB / PGC)
2004 Indiana (QB)
2003 Northern Illinois (OC / QB)
2001–2002 Northern Illinois (QB)
1998–2000 Northern Illinois (RB)
1997 Butler (OC)
1996 Butler (QB / WR)
1995 Indiana (GA / TE)
1994 Indiana (GA / QB)
