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After nearly a week of speculation and rumor Memphis has made it's head coaching hire. The revelation of the hire was announced vaguely in a Tweet issued by school President Dr. David Rudd.
Hired a great football coach today. Details to follow, presser tomorrow 430.
— Dr. M. David Rudd (@UofMemphisPres) December 4, 2015
The name that is now being officially mentioned by various outlets is Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell. Norvell has already reportedly landed in Memphis and will be officially introduced tomorrow afternoon.
Under Norvell's guidance the ASU offense shined in 2015. Norvell leads a fast paced offense which averages nearly 500 yards per game as well as 34 points per game. In overall offensive efficiency the Sun Devils finished ranked 23 in the 2015 season, 11 spots behind the Tigers.
Prior to joining Arizona State Norvell served as offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh in 2011 and wide receiver coach at Tulsa from 2007-2010. Norvell has ties to the Oklahoma and Texas recruiting area and spent his playing days at Central Arkansas where he is the schools all time leader in receptions.
The news of Norvells hiring comes after a spectacular week of rumors on the Tigers coaching search that seemed centered in on Missouri's defensive coordinator, Barry Odom. Rumors circled the Memphis media for days before Thursdays complete silence on all speculation.
The 34 year old Norvell will be the 24th head coach in Memphis football history and the first to follow a coach not being fired since the late Rex Dockery in 1983.