Mike Norvell
Current Role: Offensive coordinator, QBs coach, deputy head coach at Arizona State
The connection: No significant one
Pros: Norvell is an up-and-comer who is building his reputation as one of the brightest young coaches in college football. His offense at ASU finished tied for 16th nationally in scoring in 2014, as the Sun Devils finished No. 12 in the nation with a 10-3 record. He’s worked for Gus Malzahn – one of the biggest spread innovators and masters in the profession. Now teamed up with Todd Graham, who has a defensive background, Norvell, at just 34 years old, has a ton of control over ASU’s offense and was promoted to deputy assistant coach a couple years ago.
Cons: It starts (and maybe ends) with the cost. Norvell makes in the neighborhood of $700,000 at ASU and, coming into 2015, none of Butch Jones’ assistants have ever made more than $480,000. With several top recruiters on staff and only so much money to go around, it might be tough to justify spending enough to land Norvell because that wouldn’t leave as much money for others on staff who are doing a great job on and off the field.
