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.