The myth? of Matt Canada's friction with head coaches

TLDR version: Prior to LSU, Canada was only fired once. Other separations occurred just like they do at every college program. Two different universities brought him back after he previously coached there. The head coach that eventually fired him, hired him twice, having him as OC in his prior stop.

The more detailed version:

I keep reading people claiming that Canada's career was riddled with friction with head coaches and that it was well known before coming here. Prior to the Troy game, I don't recall reading a word of it.

His first coaching stint was as a grad assistant with Indiana from 94-96, where he previously played. His last year in 1996 was head coach Bill Mallory's last year. Cam Cameron was the next coach and brought in his own people. This does not appear to be a "does not get along" separation, because after all, they brought him back again in 2004 under head coach Bill Lynch.

His first big boy job was with Butler in 1997 for 1 year, reportedly for a mere $5k salary, supplementing it with another part time job, so clearly it was a stepping stone job.

In 1998 he was hired by Joe Novak to coach at Northern Illinois where he stayed for 6 years. That seems to be above average for a college assistant. His last year marked the first time in 21 years that the Huskies went bowling. If he was such a problem there, why did he last so long?

In 2004, he was hired away from Northern Illinois to return to Indiana during Gerry Dinardo's last year. It probably came with a pay increase. After having previously played there, and coached there from 94-96, they knew what they were getting when they brought him back. He was retained by replacement head coach Terry Hoeppner, who appeared to have worked well with Canada, though the Rant may say Canada infected him with brain cancer, leading to Hoeppner's death in 2006. Bill Lynch (a native Hoosier) came in to be head coach and retained Canada in 2007. After being with Indiana in multiple roles for 7 years, Canada lost his job when head coach Bill Lynch was fired in 2010. Losing a job with Indiana for the 2nd time after a head coach leaves does not appear to be a "does not get along" separation. He coached there for 10 years (albeit not consecutive), under 4 different coaches. If he was such a problem at Indiana, how does this happen?

Once again, another university takes Matt Canada back after having previously worked with him. In 2011, Northern Illinois took him back under new head coach Dave Doeren. If this known commodity of Matt Canada was such a problem, why take him back? Dave Doeren worked so well with Canada, he hired him again during his next head coaching stop.

After a year, Canada left to become OC at Wisconsin. Without a doubt, this came with a substantial pay increase. This was his biggest career move at this point. His only year there was during Bielema’s last year. New coaches pick their OCs, right? Leaving after the head coach is hired away from the program does not appear to be a “does not get along” separation.

So where does he go after Bielema left the program for Arky? It turns out his old coach Doeren at Northern Illinois got hired at NC State and promptly offered the OC job to Canada. If Canada was such a problem, why choose to work with him again? Well it turns out there may have been problems. The head coach that previously worked with Canada so successfully that he sought him out again under a different program decided to fire Canada after the 2015 season. The head coach promptly records an identical underwhelming season the following year. Was the problem Canada? Or was it Doering? He had a good 2017, but during Doering's 5 seasons, his conference record is a brisk 15-25.

Here's a write-up out of Pittsburgh that chronicles the hiring of Matt Canada and his departure a year later: LINK

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One year ago, when Pat Narduzzi was hired as Pitt’s head coach, he had one person in mind to be his offensive coordinator: Matt Canada.
It didn’t work out at the time, as Canada was working at North Carolina State and, as Narduzzi put it, “had a really good contract.”

But now, a year later, Narduzzi has his man.

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Canada officially was hired Friday as Pitt’s new offensive coordinator . He replaces Jim Chaney, who recently left for the same position at Georgia after one season with the Panthers.

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Canada joins Pitt after being fired by North Carolina State last week to end a three-year stint with the Wolfpack. Over that span, his offense averaged 28.9 points per game and improved every season. This year, the Wolfpack scored 33.2 points per game, third best in the ACC.

Canada admitted that he was “surprised” by his dismissal from the Wolfpack’s staff, but declined to elaborate.

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The details of the offense will be sorted out over time, but Narduzzi said he would give Canada the same kind of autonomy Chaney enjoyed this past season as far as play-calling and game-planning.

“The worst thing a head coach can do is meddle in somebody else’s business,” Narduzzi said. “I’m certainly going to let Matt do his thing.”

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Here's an article from pittsburghsportsnow.com which gives the impression he was well liked and appreciated: LINK

After his 1 season at Pitt, here's what Ed Orgeron had to say about Matt Canada (quoted in the article),

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"He’s put up tremendous numbers. Everyone I called says he’s a great guy. Win first. The players love him. He’s great on game day. A great caller. Multiple shifts. Multiple formations. Makes it tough on defensive coordinators across the league that I called. He’s a creative mind. He can make adjustments. Hard to go against. He fits with our staff. One team. One heartbeat.”

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So what am I missing Rant? Prior to LSU, he was fired once. One university brought him back after he previously coached there. The head coach that fired him, coached him during 2 different coaching stints after previously having him as OC in his prior stop.The clashes seem to be the exception, rather than the rule. His separation from LSU may have more to do with O than C.