The Steelers didn't have to look far to find their new offensive coordinator, promoting Randy Fichtner from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
"I want to thank Coach (Mike) Tomlin and Art Rooney II for giving me this opportunity to be the offensive coordinator for this organization," said Fichtner. "We have a tremendous roster, and it will be my charge to continue putting our offensive players in position to succeed and score points. We have the nucleus to be successful, and I am thrilled about the chance to lead the offense as we have already started preparing for the 2018 season."
Fichtner will take over an offense that was ranked third overall in the NFL, second in the AFC, as well as third in passing in 2017.
Fichtner spent the last eight seasons coaching the Steelers' quarterbacks, something he will continue to do, and has played a key role in the continued development of Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger is coming off a strong season, completing 360 passes for 4,251 yards and 28 touchdowns, while leading the Steelers to a 13-3 regular season record.
In eight seasons under Fichtner, Roethlisberger has completed 2,638 passes (64.6%) for 31,763 yards and 202 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 95.4. The yards, touchdowns and rating all rank in the Top 10 in the NFL. He also was selected to the Pro Bowl five times during that span, including the last four seasons.
Fichtner is an original member of Tomlin's staff, joining the team on Jan. 29, 2007 as the team's receivers coach. He spent three years in that role before becoming the quarterbacks coach. In his final year as the receivers coach (2009) the team had two 1,000-yard receivers, Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. Holmes was also named the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII following the 2008 season.
Before breaking into the NFL coaching ranks, Fichtner was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the University of Memphis (2001-2006) and Arkansas State University (1997-2000), which is where Fichtner and Tomlin first worked together. Tomlin was the receivers coach (1997) and defensive backs coach (1998) at Arkansas State.
He also spent time in different coaching roles at Purdue University, UNLV, USC and Michigan.
Fichtner is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and played football at Meadville (Pa.) Area Senior High School and Purdue University. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children.
