LSU parts ways with OC Matt Canada

LSU made a big splash last season, hiring offensive coordinator Matt Canada from Pitt to revive a Tigers' offense that had been bland and predictable.

That experiment is over.

LSU and Canada agreed to part ways, the school announced Friday night.

"As the head coach, you have to make tough decisions," coach Ed Orgeron said in a statement. "I chose to go in a different direction in order to get where I believe we need to be as a program."

Canada will receive a buyout of $1.7 million, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate.

LSU, with Canada at coordinator and Orgeron in his first season as the full-time head coach, was about the same on offense. The Tigers averaged 27.2 points and 411.1 yards this season, a year after averagnig 28.3 and 423.1 yards.

Orgeron was critical of Canada's play-calling at various points of the season, and there were reports late in the season of a strained relationship.

"We have a lot of talent coming up on offense," Orgeron said. "We want to put our players in the best possible position to succeed which means improving our vertical passing game and developing our quarterbacks and wide receivers to be at their absolute best."