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Randy Fichtner

Randy Fichtner (born November 7, 1963) is an coach who spent 14 seasons with the of the () from 2007 to 2020, serving in roles including wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, and . A native of , , he attended , where he played as a for the Boilermakers before transitioning into coaching. Fichtner's coaching career began as a at several universities, including (1986–1987), USC (1988), UNLV (1989), and (1990–1993). He then served as wide receivers coach at Purdue from 1994 to 1996, followed by stints as at Arkansas State (1997–2000) and (2001–2006), where he helped develop innovative spread offenses. In 2007, Fichtner joined the Steelers under head coach , initially as wide receivers coach, contributing to the team's victory after the 2008 season. He advanced to quarterbacks coach in 2010, working closely with quarterback , and became in 2018, overseeing a unit that finished second in the league in passing yards that year with Roethlisberger throwing for 5,129 yards. His tenure ended in 2021 when the Steelers opted not to renew his contract, marking the conclusion of his NFL coaching career.

Early life

Family background

Randy Fichtner was born on November 7, 1963, in , . He spent much of his early childhood in , where his family was rooted amid the city's strong football culture, before relocating to during his adolescence. Fichtner's father, Ross Fichtner, profoundly shaped his early life through a distinguished career as both a player and coach. Ross began as a , playing for the from 1960 to 1967 and briefly for the in 1968, where he recorded 27 interceptions over his playing tenure. Transitioning to coaching, he served as an assistant with the from 1975 to 1977, the from 1980 to 1983, and the Minnesota Vikings in 1984, specializing in defensive backs. Growing up in the orbit of his father's professional world, Randy gained early and intimate exposure to football strategies, team dynamics, and the nomadic lifestyle of personnel, which began in the 1960s and continued through Ross's retirement following the 1984 season. This immersion fostered Randy's passion for the sport from a young age. Ross Fichtner passed away on October 14, 2022, at age 83, after a multi-year battle with .

High school career

Randy Fichtner attended Meadville Area Senior High School in , graduating in 1982. He was a standout three-year letterman in for the Bulldogs, excelling as a versatile player who contributed on offense, special teams, and in multiple roles including running, passing, receiving, and kicking. As a senior in 1981, Fichtner was selected as Meadville's first representative to the Big 33 all-star game, recognizing him among the state's top high school talents. He played a key role in the Bulldogs' successful 8-1 season, highlighted by a 30-7 victory over in which he scored in five different ways: two rushing , one passing , one receiving , two two-point conversions, and two extra points. Fichtner's early interest in coaching was shaped by observing the local environment in Meadville and his family's deep involvement in the sport, particularly his father Ross Fichtner's legacy as an player and coach. Ross, who played from 1960 to 1968 and coached with teams including the , , and , often brought young to games, fostering his passion for the game's strategic side.

College career

Playing at Purdue

Fichtner earned a football scholarship to , where he transitioned from offense to playing as a for the Boilermakers. Fichtner lettered for Purdue during the 1982 and 1983 seasons under head coach Leon Burtnett, appearing primarily as a reserve in the . In his freshman year of 1982, he played in all 11 games as the Boilermakers compiled a 3–8 overall record and 3–6 mark in conference play, contributing on special teams with one kick return for 10 yards. A highlight came in a November 6 matchup against , where Fichtner recovered two fumbles for the Purdue defense, helping to spark the team's 16–7 victory; the game also featured a 71-yard punt return touchdown by teammate Steve Griffin. During the 1983 season, Fichtner again lettered but saw limited action as Purdue finished 3–7–1 overall and 3–5–1 in the Big Ten, with the team struggling defensively amid broader roster transitions. His playing career abruptly ended in 1984 during a practice or game collision that aggravated a prior from high school, forcing him to retire from active play. Following the injury, Fichtner shifted his focus toward , serving as a student assistant with the Boilermakers in 1984 and 1985, which ignited his long-term interest in the profession and led directly to his entry into full-time coaching roles after graduation.

Education

Fichtner attended starting in the early 1980s, enrolling as a student-athlete in the football program. There, he pursued a degree in , a field focused on and preventive health strategies. He completed his in in 1985, maintaining eligibility through academic performance aligned with the football program's standards for student-athletes. No specific academic honors or study-related extracurricular activities are documented in available records.

Coaching career

College positions

Fichtner began his coaching career immediately after his playing days at Purdue, leveraging his degree in to secure initial graduate assistant roles. He served as a at Purdue from 1984 to 1985, followed by from 1986 to 1987 under . He then held positions at in 1988 and UNLV in 1989, gaining experience in major college programs. From 1990 to 1993, Fichtner worked at as a , where he also coached quarterbacks and wide receivers, contributing to the development of key players during a transitional period for the program. In 1994, he returned to Purdue as wide receivers coach and recruiting director, a role he held through 1996, helping to bolster the team's passing game and attract top talent in the Midwest. Fichtner advanced to at Arkansas State from 1997 to 2000, where he also coached quarterbacks. During this tenure, the Red Wolves' passing offenses ranked among the school's historical top-10 in total yards, though the team compiled an overall record of 11–34, including seasons of 2–9 in 1997, 4–8 in 1998, 4–7 in 1999, and 1–10 in 2000. Returning to Memphis in 2001 as and s coach through 2006, Fichtner implemented elements of the , drawing influences from systems at Purdue, Northwestern, and Clemson to emphasize quick passes and quarterback mobility. This approach transformed the Tigers' scoring output, reaching an average of 30 points per game by 2003, when the team achieved a 9–4 record, won the , and finished tied for third in . Under his coordination, Memphis posted an overall 34–38 record, with notable successes including an 8–4 mark and GMAC Bowl appearance in 2004, and a 7–5 season in 2005, setting multiple program offensive records in the process. Across his college offensive coordinator stints at Arkansas State and , Fichtner's teams recorded a combined 45–72 mark, marked by improved passing efficiency and bowl berths that elevated mid-major programs during the early .

Pittsburgh Steelers

Randy Fichtner joined the in 2007 as the wide receivers coach, a position he held through the 2009 season. In this role, he contributed to the development of key players, including , who recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2007 and 2008 and earned MVP honors after catching the game-winning touchdown in Pittsburgh's victory over the . Fichtner also worked with beginning in 2010, his rookie year, fostering a professional relationship that extended into Brown's emergence as one of the NFL's elite wide receivers. Promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2010, Fichtner served in that capacity until 2017, forging a close working relationship with franchise quarterback . During this period, he helped nurture Roethlisberger's continued growth, contributing to the quarterback's selections in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, while emphasizing quarterback decision-making and pocket presence. The Steelers achieved consistent success under Fichtner's guidance in this role, posting winning records in six of those eight seasons and advancing to the six times, including two appearances in 2010 and 2016. In January 2018, Fichtner was elevated to while retaining his quarterbacks coach duties through the 2019 season, then serving solely as in 2020. His offensive schemes focused on a balanced attack that leveraged Roethlisberger's arm strength with increased play-action passes and diverse run concepts, incorporating player input to adapt to defensive alignments. In his first year calling plays, the Steelers offense ranked fourth in the in total yards and sixth in points scored, powering a 9-6-1 regular season and second-place finish in the . Over Fichtner's full 14-year tenure from 2007 to 2020, the Steelers compiled a 146-77-1 regular-season record and a 7-8 playoff mark, including a victory in 2008 and three berths. Fichtner's contract was not renewed in January 2021, concluding his 14-season stint with the organization after the Steelers' wild-card playoff loss to the . The decision came amid a late-season offensive slump in 2020, where scored 20 or fewer points in five of its final six games.

Personal life

Randy Fichtner is married to Jennifer Fichtner (née ), a native of . The couple has three children: a son, Nathaniel "Nate" Fichtner, and two daughters, Shelby Brooke Fichtner and Kirby Lynn Fichtner. Fichtner's coaching relocations have shaped his family's dynamics, often balancing professional opportunities with family needs. For instance, after the birth of their first two children within two and a half years, Jennifer expressed reluctance about moving north of the Mason-Dixon line when Fichtner joined the in 2007, preferring proximity to her Memphis-area roots following the deaths of her father and grandfather; however, the family ultimately settled in , a decision Fichtner later described as their best. Family has provided consistent support during key career moments, such as when Fichtner's extended relatives—including siblings and parents—gathered in Tampa for the 2009 to cheer him on as the Steelers' quarterbacks coach. This familial encouragement traces back to his upbringing, where his father, former player and coach Ross Fichtner, first instilled a passion for .

Retirement and later activities

Following the , the chose not to renew Randy Fichtner's contract as , effectively ending his 14-year tenure with the team and marking his from professional coaching. After retiring, Fichtner relocated to , where he became a and focused on personal life away from the gridiron. Two of his three children live and work in the area, and he has become active at Burnt Pine while investing in local businesses. In retirement, Fichtner has made occasional media appearances to discuss his Steelers experiences. In November 2024, he confirmed his role in mediating tensions between quarterback and former offensive coordinator by moving from the coaching booth to the sideline during games. In June 2025, alongside Roethlisberger on a , Fichtner expressed views on the current Steelers coaching staff's dynamics, suggesting dissatisfaction with edge rusher T.J. Watt's usage, and offered insights into the team's offensive approach under coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterback . As of November 2025, Fichtner has not returned to any coaching role.

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