NORMAN — Oklahoma's exciting young receivers now have the same coach Marvin Harrison did when he first entered the NFL.
Advertisement
Thursday, OU named Jay Norvell its wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Norvell, 44, replaces Kevin Sumlin, who left to become the head coach at the University of Houston.
"I'm so excited to work with Bob (Stoops) and the staff there,” said Norvell, offensive coordinator at UCLA last season. "I have so much respect for that program. The talent of the team, the quality of the staff and the tremendous support all mean so much to me. I've worked at a lot of schools and I know that this is a special situation.”
Norvell's situation will be special in part because of the expected arrival of Jameel Owens and Josh Jarboe, two of the top receiver recruits in the country who have verbally committed to Oklahoma.
"Jay has a varied and impressive background of coaching both college and professional football, and we are excited that he is coming to Oklahoma,” Stoops said. "He brings with him expertise in both coaching and recruiting, and we feel there are significant contributions that he can make to our program.”
Stoops and Norvell have a connection that dates back to when they played college football together at Iowa in the early 1980s.
Stoops hired Norvell to be OU's wide receivers coach in 2002.
But that reunion was short-lived.
Norvell stayed only one month in Norman, opting to leave to coach tight ends for the Oakland Raiders under coach Bill Callahan.
When Callahan became coach at Nebraska in 2004, Norvell went with him to be his offensive coordinator.
But last year, Norvell left to become the offensive coordinator at UCLA, in part because Callahan called his own plays at Nebraska.
UCLA fired head coach Karl Dorrell last month after a 6-6 regular-season finish, leaving Norvell looking for a job again.
Before coming to OU the first time, Norvell was the wide receivers coach for the Indianapolis Colts, who had a budding star in Harrison.
In Norvell's final year at Indianapolis, Harrison caught 109 passes for 1,524 yards and 15 touchdowns.
"I've been fortunate to have a lot of different experiences at the college and pro level, including coaching in a Super Bowl,” Norvell said. "I know the Big 12, and I know the defenses in that league. I feel like I can contribute in both coaching and recruiting. I've had the opportunity to work with a lot of good coaches and players and feel I can make specific contribution with the passing game.”
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
I don't agree with this hire, but time will tell. I think he has "rabbit" in him and will "bolt" at the first chance to again join the NFL. Bob, your trouble is Defense and Special teams.....Wake up!
THis is a sad story, considering you have one of the most loyal coaches on the staff waiting for a chance to be promoted, he is the coach who is in charge of recruiting like a crazy man and has been here for yours. WHen will bob show Cale Gundy some love.
Im going to withhold judgment on Norvell. His past seems a little shaky, but we will see. I hope he rents to start. Its hard to say how good coordinators are based on their units performance sometimes. Depends a lot on the type of head coach they work for and how much control they are given.
john, if bob hired josh as is offensive coordinator you would be complaining that bob hired someone with no offensive coordinator experience....besides bob hired josh away from arizona that went like 3-7 that year i don't hear u complaining about that. lol
Why in the world does Bob Stoops name Norvell co-offensive coordinator? He left OU the first time after being here only one month. He comes back after the purge at UCLA and is named co-offensive coordinator. I feel that Stoops should have rewarded Josh Heupel for his extraordinary job coaching Paul Thompson last year and Sam Bradford this year by naming him co-offensive coordinator. You blew this one, Bob.
Last year UCLA was last in passing offense in the PAC 10, 9th in total offense and 6th in rushing offense. Here's trusting Stoops knows what he's doing.
16
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).