Tag Archives: Up and Comer

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate Mike Norvell

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate Mike Norvell.

Mike Norvell coaching experience (36 years old)

15-6 record in two seasons as Memphis’ head coach. Was Todd Graham’s offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh and Arizona State prior to that. Was an assistant at Tulsa and Central Arkansas before that.

GRT taxonomy of college football coaches: Up and Comer

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Mike Norvell

With ties in Memphis, he’d be able to recruit in the Bluff City. But the biggest draw for Norvell is that he’s led the Tigers to being ranked in each of the past two years. He took Justin Fuente’s program and didn’t miss a beat. He’s one of the youngest, most innovative offensive head coaches in all of college football, and he’s going to be a hot name as jobs come open. This one may be gaining steam and would not be a bad fallback option at all. He also may get a long look from nearby Ole Miss, who’ll be looking for a coach, too.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Mike Norvell

His age and experience are worries, sure, and is this really a time when the Vols can take a risk? Norvell has a big upside, but can he hire a defensive coordinator to be good enough in the SEC? Also, he hasn’t proven he can recruit well enough to play with the big boys in the SEC. Finally, this is only Year 2. He’s winning with Fuente’s recruits. Can he build a program and develop his own players? That’s a major question mark, and UT doesn’t need to be a training ground.

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate Scott Frost

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate Scott Frost.

Scott Frost’s coaching experience (42 years old)

Elite option quarterback at Nebraska. Began playing career at Stanford; also played in NFL. College assistant at Nebraska, Kansas State, Northern Iowa and offensive coordinator for national runner up Oregon. Assistant 2002-15. Head coach at Central Florida the past two seasons.

GRT college football coach taxonomy: Up and Comer.

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Scott Frost

His coaching pedigree is as good as any coach’s around, from Bill Walsh to Tom Osbourne to Mike Tomlin to Chip Kelly. He took an 0-12 Knights team to a bowl game their first year and an undefeated record so far this year. He’s a rising star and an alpha personality the fan base could get behind. The fans may not love him at first because he doesn’t have a huge body of work. He’s got an explosive offense with ties all over the country. Beyond Gruden, he’s the favorite option of all three Gameday on Rocky Top authors. You need upside when the pool of coaches isn’t deep. He’s got the highest of them all.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Scott Frost

It doesn’t matter about UCF. You can outbid the Knights, but if they remain undefeated, there’s no way you can publicly lure him until after the early signing period. Also, with his alma mater maybe coming open, would he go back to Lincoln? Would he hold out for a Florida school with the Gators actively searching and the Seminoles reeling?