Matt Canada Named LSU OC: Latest Contract Details and Reaction

After making the acquisition of a top offensive coordinator one of his biggest priorities, new LSU head coach Ed Orgeron hired Matt Canada for the position Wednesday, LSU announced. 

Canada said the following:

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We have a real opportunity under Coach Orgeron to propel LSU football to another level. The chance to put together a high-powered offense with the athletic ability available at LSU and the leadership of Coach "O" is incredibly exciting. I've long-respected Coach Orgeron's ability to recruit, lead and motivate. What he did as head coach at LSU under difficult circumstances was really impressive. I'm thrilled to be a part of the vision for the program.

"

Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated was the first to report the move. Ross Dellenger of the Advocate added that Canada signed a three-year contract worth more than $1 million per year.

The 44-year-old Canada spent 2016 as the Pittsburgh Panthers offensive coordinator, leading them to 10th in the nation in scoring at 42.3 points per game.

Pitt upset both Clemson and Penn State and scored 76 points in a win against Syracuse this season on the power of its high-octane offense.

Prior to his one-year stint with the Panthers, Canada was offensive coordinator at N.C. State from 2013 through 2015, at Wisconsin in 2012, at Northern Illinois in 2011, and at his alma mater, Indiana, from 2007 through 2010.

Per Dellenger, one of Orgeron's selling points during the interview process was to bring in a highly touted offensive coordinator after the Tigers ranked a disappointing 67th in scoring this season.

After he was hired, Orgeron discussed the importance of an offensive coordinator and a change in offensive philosophy publicly, according to Andrew Lopez of the Times-Picayune:

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We're going to look at recruiting the best offensive coordinator in football and bring them to LSU. ... I do believe nowadays, you have to run the spread offense. You have to have dual-threat quarterbacks that can run the ball and throw it. But you have to have someone who knows how to run it. We still want to by physical football team.

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Canada is seemingly a great fit for Orgeron's wants, as Pitt played a spread offense but also ran the ball effectively with James Conner.

Perhaps the biggest key to LSU's offensive success moving forward is finding a stud quarterback, and while that has eluded the Tigers in recent years, Canada's work with Nathan Peterman this season at Pitt suggests he is the right man for the job.

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