MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis coach Tommy West promoted assistant head coach Clay Helton to offensive coordinator Monday to replace Randy Fichtner, who took a job coaching receivers with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Helton has spent the past seven seasons with the Tigers, including the last three as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator. He worked with the running backs his first three seasons and worked with DeAngelo Williams in 2002.
He has worked with receivers the past four years, including Darron White, who ranks second in all-time school records with 137 receptions and fifth in yards with 1,649.
"He is a tireless recruiter who has an incredible work ethic and shares the same dedication that I have in taking this program to the next level," West said in a statement. "He has certainly earned this opportunity, and I am very proud for him."
The Tigers recently finished one of their worst seasons in school history at 2-10 and 1-7 in Conference USA. Their only wins came against Division I-AA Chattanooga and at UTEP in the final game of the season.
The top five school records for touchdown passes in a season were set by teams using the spread offense, including the record of 25 by Danny Wimprine in 2004. Martin Hankins ranked third with 226 completions in 2006.
Fichtner will work again with new Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, who was an assistant coach with Memphis in 1996. The men also worked together at Arkansas State from 1997-98. He said he couldn't pass up this opportunity.
"I was raised in the Pittsburgh area and still have family there, so this is a chance to go back home. I appreciate the opportunity that Coach West gave me," Fichtner said.
West has yet to name a new defensive coordinator. He fired Joe Lee Dunn after three games last season.
