Mike Norvell using Memphis job as springboard to Power Five job?
By Gabe Encinas
Mike Norvell won’t last very long at Memphis, because he will be one of the hottest coaching candidates in a few years.
Memphis found their successor to Justin Fuente, as it was announced Thursday that the Tigers hired Arizona State offensive coordinator/deputy head coach Mike Norvell.
This is likely one of the best, low-key hires in all of college football. With what Arizona State has done in the last four years under Todd Graham, it was only a matter of time before Norvell would make the jump to a nice head coaching position.
This is a great hire for Memphis, but it might so great of a hire, that Norvell won’t lost last at Memphis. At Arizona State, he ran the No. 23 offense in the nation, averaging 474 yards of total offense and 34 points a game.
Norvell is a great offensive mind, despite the lack of wins this season for the Sun Devils, which might be attributed more to Arizona State’s defense. But along with offensive prowess, he is a great recruiter, and possibly the lead for the Sun Devil staff. They’ve had great success in Tempe in the recruiting game.
Although Arizona State can sell itself — beautiful weather, big city, college atmosphere, low academic requirements — he’s been able to draw in a decent mix of top high school recruits and junior college guys. But Norvell is known for his quarterback play, and he’s been stocking up plenty of those for Arizona State.
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For 2016, Arizona brings in four-star quarterback Dillon Sterling-Cole, they’re sitting on two four-star freshmen, Brady White and Bryce Perkins, and have groomed four-star Manny Wilkins, who seems to be penciled in as the projected starter for 2016.
While Memphis won’t be able to have all the resources of Arizona State, Norvell will be able to keep up the success at Memphis, whether that’s with the talent already on the roster, or the talent he will bring in as the head coach. Paxton Lynch could be on his way to the NFL, which makes things a bit harder for Norvell in year one.
But he’ll be able to hit his stride with this team, compete for AAC Championship, and then be on his way for a Power Five job just like his predecessor.
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This is a slam dunk hire in the coaching carousel, and Norvell will find great success at Memphis sooner than later, and it won’t be long until he’s leaving Memphis for a bigger opportunity, so enjoy him while you can Tiger fans.