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Steelers name Randy Fichtner new offensive coordinator | TribLIVE.com
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Steelers name Randy Fichtner new offensive coordinator

Chris Adamski
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Chaz Palla | Trib Total Media
Steelers quarterback coach Randy Fichtner during practice Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 on the South Side.
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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
New Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner stands on the sidelines with Ben Roethlisberger during the 2017 season.
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Keith Srakocic/AP
Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley watches warm ups before a game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017.

The Steelers didn't search too far in finding their next offensive coordinator.

Try a few doors down the hall at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Randy Fichtner was promoted to coordinator, the team announced Thursday. Fichtner has been a part of the offensive coaching staff since Mike Tomlin was hired in 2007, the first three seasons as wide receivers coach before taking over the quarterbacks in 2010.

He will keep the title of quarterbacks coach, taking on a dual role.

“We have a tremendous roster, and it will be my charge to continue putting our offensive players in position to succeed and score points,” Fichtner said in a statement. “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, 54, succeeds Todd Haley, whose contract was not renewed after the season ended in the divisional playoff round Sunday. A Meadville alumnus who played defensive back at Purdue, Fichtner's relationship with Tomlin dates to the 1997-98 seasons, when both were on the staff at Arkansas State.

Fichtner was a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator during four years at Arkansas State, and he had the same positions from 2001-06 at Memphis before Tomlin gave him his first NFL job.

As quarterbacks coach, of course, Fichtner spent plenty of time working with Ben Roethlisberger. That will continue, and Roethlisberger often has spoken of the positive relationship the two share.

That is at least partially in contrast to the sometimes-prickly dynamic between Haley and Roethlisberger, who has said he will play next season at age 36.

Fichtner was brought from the coaching box to the field during games this season, a change CBS Sports reported was made so he could serve as a buffer between Roethlisberger and Haley.

The Steelers are not known to have interviewed any other candidates. Roethlisberger said two days after the season ended on his weekly 93.7 FM radio segment that he preferred continuity on the staff.

“I think that the important thing is we've got a really good group here — that includes coaches and players, a special group,” Roethlisberger said then. “The least amount of change, the better. That goes for players, coaches and everything — we don't want big changes. We're right there. We're on the cusp (of a championship).”

Over the eight seasons since Fichtner has been his position coach, Roethlisberger's passer rating, completion percentage and interception percentage have improved as compared to the first six seasons of his career.

Fichtner becomes the third offensive coordinator under Tomlin, joining Haley and Bruce Arians (2007-2011). He is the first who didn't have experience as an NFL coordinator.

Not counting Haley, each of the Steelers' prior three coordinators (Mike Mularkey, Ken Whisenhunt, Arians) became head coaches soon after leaving the Steelers. Eight of the past nine Steelers offensive coordinators were either former or future NFL head coaches.

Haley was the only man since 1999 to be named offensive coordinator but not promoted from within.

The Steelers in 2017 ranked No. 3 in the NFL in total offense, No. 7 in yards per play, No. 8 in scoring, No. 3 in passing offense and tied for third in fewest sacks allowed. But they were 20th in rushing yards and 18th in red-zone conversion percentage.

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.