Just watched Canada's Press Conference

[Chairman Moe]

Very positive - especially toward Coach Narduzzi.

Singled out James Connor and also George Aston (not by name, but by description), Nate Pederman, et al. Never once seemed to consider that "why not Pitt" be successful - his comments about coaching the players he has seemed to be well-received by the Louisiana press corps

Spoke not so much about the system, but rather how he best utilizes the talent there to understand how to make the plays. Did not want to be pigeon-holed as operating a spread or pro-style offense; did not want to be pigeon-holed as being an up-tempo or grind-it-out offense. Focused on how to teach the players the plays, run the ball effectively, and score in the red zone.

Said the biggest influence in accepting the position at LSU, was that "LSU is the premier college football program in the country." I think he was just totally flattered that one of the top/elite programs would ask him to be their OC. Spoke more about winning, and winning now than himself. All about team.

Said that while he does not have a whole lot of familiarity with the SEC (other than Bielma and Aranda), he did brag that his record vs Alabama is 1-0 (was at No Illinois in 2003 when they defeated the CT).

As a Pitt fan, am very sorry to see him go, but as an LSU fan (and football fan, in general) I am thrilled. I can't wait to see how his results at Pitt can transfer to LSU.

It's easy to see why his players are successful - his "positivity" is both honest and refreshing.

 

[yourhired]

He will need to find a QB quickly.

 

[Panthergrowl13]

Once the Pitt Bowl game is over, I don't care what Canada has to say anymore.

BYE!!!!

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

 

[PittMan2003]

Very positive - especially toward Coach Narduzzi.

Singled out James Connor and also George Aston (not by name, but by description), Nate Pederman, et al. Never once seemed to consider that "why not Pitt" be successful - his comments about coaching the players he has seemed to be well-received by the Louisiana press corps

Spoke not so much about the system, but rather how he best utilizes the talent there to understand how to make the plays. Did not want to be pigeon-holed as operating a spread or pro-style offense; did not want to be pigeon-holed as being an up-tempo or grind-it-out offense. Focused on how to teach the players the plays, run the ball effectively, and score in the red zone.

Said the biggest influence in accepting the position at LSU, was that "LSU is the premier college football program in the country." I think he was just totally flattered that one of the top/elite programs would ask him to be their OC. Spoke more about winning, and winning now than himself. All about team.

Said that while he does not have a whole lot of familiarity with the SEC (other than Bielma and Aranda), he did brag that his record vs Alabama is 1-0 (was at No Illinois in 2003 when they defeated the CT).

As a Pitt fan, am very sorry to see him go, but as an LSU fan (and football fan, in general) I am thrilled. I can't wait to see how his results at Pitt can transfer to LSU.

It's easy to see why his players are successful - his "positivity" is both honest and refreshing.

Enjoy him. His offense is awesome. Really sad to see him go.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Good summary.

I think his "positivity" is what made him and Narduzzi such a great fit. It'll be interesting to see how compatible his personality is with that of Orgeron. Wish Canada the bet of luck at a school where the fan base demands the coach wins at least 11 games each year.

 

[pittzap]

Good summary.

I think his "positivity" is what made him and Narduzzi such a great fit. It'll be interesting to see how compatible his personality is with that of Orgeron. Wish Canada the bet of luck at a school where the fan base demands the coach wins at least 11 games each year.

And beating Alabama.

 

[Chairman Moe]

And beating Alabama.

Beating Alabama is definitely a criteria; but strange that I don't see the impact of that the same way as, say a Michigan vs OSU. The rivalry is genuine for sure. Alabama has won about 2/3 to 3/4 of the match-ups between the two teams. It is clearly the top program, bar none. But it just doesn't seem that a coach's tenure at LSU is based strictly at winning against the CT.

I'm sure that the hope in Baton Rouge is, that Alabama has nowhere else to go (other than continuing to win) but down, and LSU can quite quickly re-emerge as a top 5 program. With the talent they already have, and the talent coming in, and now a more solid/autonomous coaching staff, LSU should have no excuses. I really think that Miles was too stubborn to allow the team to evolve and grow on offense.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

fixed

Beating Alabama is definitely THE criteria; but strange that I don't see the impact of that the same way as, say a Michigan vs OSU. The rivalry is genuine for sure. Alabama has won about 2/3 to 3/4 of the match-ups between the two teams. It is clearly the top program, bar none. But it just doesn't seem that a coach's tenure at LSU is based strictly at winning against the CT.

I'm sure that the hope in Baton Rouge is, that Alabama has nowhere else to go (other than continuing to win) but down, and LSU can quite quickly re-emerge as a top 5 program. With the talent they already have, and the talent coming in, and now a more solid/autonomous coaching staff, LSU should have no excuses. I really think that Miles was too stubborn to allow the team to evolve and grow on offense.

 

[rojo36]

I don' think LSU is the premier college football program in the country. I am not sure you can pick one to begin with. Now throwing money around may be one way to judge that but not the most accurate way to do so. Interesting that LSU always finds money to buy off coaches but beware-they can sour on one very quickly and have in the past.

 

[raleighpanther]

If Canada can produce a really good offense next year at LSU, he'll be gone the next, to take a HC gig. That's his goal, and first year success at LSU will open many HC doors for him.

 

[Chairman Moe]

I don' think LSU is the premier college football program in the country. I am not sure you can pick one to begin with. Now throwing money around may be one way to judge that but not the most accurate way to do so. Interesting that LSU always finds money to buy off coaches but beware-they can sour on one very quickly and have in the past.

Well, to Matt Canada, LSU is the premier college program - said so himself at the presser!! ;^)

Seriously, the whole "who is the premier college program" thing is pretty subjective, although right now it clearly seems to be Alabama. But if you recall, the Crimson Tide went through their coaching "revolving door" before Saban settled in, and I'm sure there is at least as much if not more $ in Tuscaloosa for the football program.

And if truth be told, Miles probably stayed way past what his performance there dictated.

 

[Chairman Moe]

If Canada can produce a really good offense next year at LSU, he'll be gone the next, to take a HC gig. That's his goal, and first year success at LSU will open many HC doors for him.

My read, and I could just be totally naive, is that Canada will stay at LSU through his contract - or possibly beyond - to build the best resume/success possible, and to have the best experience possible. I think he has his sights on a Top 10 high elite program, rather than to jump at, say, an FAU (ala Lane Kiffin) like job if and when it comes available. He could be like a Jimbo Fisher was when he was "recruited" by Bobby Bowden to be their OC for five years before becoming the next head coach. Hard to predict, but Orgeron is pushing 60 and if Canada works out well in Baton Rouge, he could easily set down some roots there.

 

[cruzer]

Very positive - especially toward Coach Narduzzi.

Singled out James Connor and also George Aston (not by name, but by description), Nate Pederman, et al. Never once seemed to consider that "why not Pitt" be successful - his comments about coaching the players he has seemed to be well-received by the Louisiana press corps

Spoke not so much about the system, but rather how he best utilizes the talent there to understand how to make the plays. Did not want to be pigeon-holed as operating a spread or pro-style offense; did not want to be pigeon-holed as being an up-tempo or grind-it-out offense. Focused on how to teach the players the plays, run the ball effectively, and score in the red zone.

Said the biggest influence in accepting the position at LSU, was that "LSU is the premier college football program in the country." I think he was just totally flattered that one of the top/elite programs would ask him to be their OC. Spoke more about winning, and winning now than himself. All about team.

Said that while he does not have a whole lot of familiarity with the SEC (other than Bielma and Aranda), he did brag that his record vs Alabama is 1-0 (was at No Illinois in 2003 when they defeated the CT).

As a Pitt fan, am very sorry to see him go, but as an LSU fan (and football fan, in general) I am thrilled. I can't wait to see how his results at Pitt can transfer to LSU.

It's easy to see why his players are successful - his "positivity" is both honest and refreshing.

It's easy to understand why Canada would take the OC position at LSU. A TON of money, high profile program, and the chance at a head coaching position eventually. Canada did a great job here. No denying that. My only question is on the head coaching opportunity. I wonder if Canada will ultimately make a great head coach. My concern with him is that he never seemed to be very involved or interested in recruiting. If you're going to be a big time, successful head coach, you absolutely have to love recruiting. Keep in mind that recruiting doesn't just apply to bringing in good players....you also have to recruit good staff. I wonder if Canada will be able to do that. I guess time will tell.

 

[ThePanthers]

Canada just said to Pittsburgh media that Pitt went above and beyond anything he would have ever expected to keep him and he was extremely humbled.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Tough loss for Pitt . $$$$ rules !

 

[PittMan2003]

It's easy to understand why Canada would take the OC position at LSU. A TON of money, high profile program, and the chance at a head coaching position eventually. Canada did a great job here. No denying that. My only question is on the head coaching opportunity. I wonder if Canada will ultimately make a great head coach. My concern with him is that he never seemed to be very involved or interested in recruiting. If you're going to be a big time, successful head coach, you absolutely have to love recruiting. Keep in mind that recruiting doesn't just apply to bringing in good players....you also have to recruit good staff. I wonder if Canada will be able to do that. I guess time will tell.

Yeah i agree about the recruiting. He was amazing for us but the only knock i had on him was recruiting. He is such an offensive genius but i wonder how he would do as a head coach with all the other parts of the job. I wish him well really and cant blame him for the move.