Jay Norvell

Last updated

Jay Norvell
032622 CSU FB Practice - Norvell.jpg
Norvell in 2022 as head coach of Colorado State
Current position
Title Head coach
Team Colorado State
Conference MW
Record16–20
Biographical details
Born (1963-03-28) March 28, 1963 (age 61)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Playing career
1982–1985 Iowa
1986 Denver Broncos*
1987 Chicago Bears
Position(s) Defensive back, linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1986–1987 Iowa (GA)
1988 Northern Iowa (WR)
1989–1994 Wisconsin (OL/WR/TE)
1995–1997 Iowa State (QB/WR)
1998–2001 Indianapolis Colts (WR)
2002–2003 Oakland Raiders (TE)
2004–2006 Nebraska (OC/QB)
2007 UCLA (OC/QB)
2008–2010 Oklahoma (assistant OC/WR)
2011–2014Oklahoma (co-OC/WR)
2015 Texas (WR)
2016 Arizona State (PGC/WR)
2017–2021 Nevada
2022–present Colorado State
Head coaching record
Overall49–46
Bowls2–1
Accomplishments and honors
Awards

Merritt James Norvell III (born March 28, 1963) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach at Colorado State University, a position he has held since the 2022 season. Norvell served as the head football coach at the University of Nevada, Reno from 2017 to 2021. His father, Merritt Norvell, was the athletic director at Michigan State University from 1995 to 1998. [1]

Contents

Playing career

Norvell played college football at the University of Iowa from 1982 to 1985 and professionally in the National Football League (NFL) as a linebacker with the Chicago Bears for one season, in 1987 as practice and replacement player. [2]

Coaching career

Early coaching career

His coaching career began at his alma mater Iowa in 1986 when Norvell took a job as a graduate assistant. From 1988 to 2001, Norvell served as an assistant coach for multiple positions at Northern Iowa, Wisconsin, and Iowa State. Norvell briefly spent time in the NFL as an assistant coach from 2002 to 2003 with the Indianapolis Colts and Oakland Raiders before returning to college football at the University of Nebraska to take his first ever offensive coordinator job in 2004. At Nebraska, he helped guide quarterback Zac Taylor to win Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and break several school passing records.

Norvell spent a season as the offensive coordinator at UCLA in 2007, and then served as the assistant offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Oklahoma from 2008 to 2010 before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2011. Norvell remained at Oklahoma until January 2015 when he was fired. [3] He was subsequently hired as the wide receivers coach at the University of Texas where he held play calling duties. [4] Norvell then spent the 2016 season as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Arizona State before landing his first head coaching job with Nevada in 2017. [5]

Nevada

In 2017, Norvell was named head coach for the Nevada football program. The team struggled during Norvell's first year, going 3–9 in 2017. [6] However, Norvell helped the team rebound the next season, with Nevada going 8–5 in 2018, including a 16–13 overtime victory in the 2018 Arizona Bowl over Arkansas State. [7] Nevada posted winning records in 2019, 2020, and 2021 as well, and Norvell finished his tenure at Nevada recording a winning record in four of his five seasons. Norvell also led Nevada quarterback Carson Strong to back-to-back Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year awards in 2020 and 2021. Norvell left Nevada to go to Colorado State. [8]

Colorado State

On December 6, 2021, Colorado State hired Norvell to be their 24th head coach. [9] Norvell's pass-heavy offensive style came as a stark contrast to previous head coach Steve Addazio's run-heavy smashmouth offense. [10] Norvell is 16-20 in his first three seasons as the Rams Head Coach.

Personal life

Norvell's father, Merritt married his mother, Cynthia, who was a model, on July 4, 1962. Norvell has one brother, Aaron. His mother died at 79 after a battle with cancer. Norvell is Catholic. [11] [12]

Head coaching record

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Nevada Wolf Pack (Mountain West Conference)(2017–2021)
2017 Nevada 3–93–54th (West)
2018 Nevada 8–55–3T–2nd (West)W Arizona
2019 Nevada 7–64–43rd (West)L Famous Idaho Potato
2020 Nevada 7–26–22ndW Famous Idaho Potato
2021 Nevada 8–45–33rd (West) Quick Lane [a]
Nevada:33–2623–17
Colorado State Rams (Mountain West Conference)(2022–present)
2022 Colorado State 3–93–55th (Mountain)
2023 Colorado State 5–73–5T–8th
2024 Colorado State 8–46–1T–2nd Arizona
Colorado State:16–2012–11
Total:49–46
  1. The team was coached by interim head coach Vai Taua for the 2021 Quick Lane Bowl as Norvell left the program prior to the game

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Stoops</span> American football player and coach (born 1960)

Robert Anthony Stoops is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He was the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma from 1999 through the 2016 season, and on an interim basis during the 2021 Alamo Bowl. He led the Oklahoma Sooners to a record of 191–48 over his career. His 2000 Oklahoma Sooners football team won the 2001 Orange Bowl, which served as the BCS National Championship Game, and earned a consensus national championship. Since 2020, Stoops has been a head coach with the XFL, coaching the Renegades in 2020 and has been re-signed for 2023. Stoops' Renegades won the XFL Championship in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Walters</span> American football player and coach (born 1976)

Troy McHenry Walters is an American football coach and former player who is the wide receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Walters played as a wide receiver and punt returner in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. Walters played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the season's outstanding college football receiver. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings, and also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions of the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Graham</span> American football player and coach (born 1964)

Michael Todd Graham is an American college football coach and former player. He was most recently the head football coach at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (2020–2021). Graham has served as the head football coach at Rice University (2006), the University of Tulsa (2007–2010), the University of Pittsburgh (2011), and Arizona State University (2012–2017).

Shawn Watson is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach at Wofford College, a position he has held since October 6, 2022 after the resignation of Josh Conklin. Watson served as the head football coach at Southern Illinois University Carbondale from 1994 to 1996, compiling a record of 11–22. He was the offensive coordinator at the University of Colorado Boulder (2000–2005), the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (2007–2010), the University of Louisville (2011–2013), and the University of Pittsburgh (2017–2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Rhoads</span> American football player and coach (born 1967)

Paul Robert Rhoads is an American football coach. He is currently the outside linebackers coach at Boston College. A long-time major conference assistant coach and head coach, he is best-known for his seven-year tenure as head coach at Iowa State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado State Rams football</span> American college football team

The Colorado State Rams football program represents Colorado State University and is a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mountain West Conference. The Rams have long-standing rivalries with Colorado, Wyoming, and Air Force. The team is currently led by head coach Jay Norvell, who was hired in December 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vai Taua</span> American football player and coach (born 1988)

Vailala Lima "Vai" Taua is an American football coach and former running back who is the assistant head coach for the Nevada Wolf Pack. He played college football at Nevada, earning third-team All-American honors in 2010. He briefly played in the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent for the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks from 2011 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Addazio</span> American football player and coach (born 1959)

Stephen Robert Addazio is an American football coach and broadcaster and former player. He became a color commentator for ESPN's college football broadcasts before the 2024 season. Before becoming a broadcaster, Addazio served as a high school and college coach for almost forty years, most recently as the offensive line coach for Texas A&M University. He served as the head football coach at Temple University from 2011 to 2012, Boston College from 2013 to 2019, and Colorado State University from 2020 to 2021. Before that, he was an offensive assistant for several college teams, including six seasons as an offensive line coach, assistant head coach, and offensive coordinator for the Florida Gators and was a part of two BCS National Championship Game-winning coaching staffs under head coach Urban Meyer.

Matt Lubick is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the offensive coordinator for the University of Nevada. He was previously the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He was named the 2012 Football Scoop Wide Receivers Coach of the Year while coaching at Duke University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Norvell</span> American football coach (born 1981)

Michael Kelly Norvell is an American college football coach. He is the head football coach for Florida State, a position he has held since 2020. He was previously head coach at Memphis, and has coached for Arizona State, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, and Central Arkansas. He played wide receiver at the University of Central Arkansas from 2001 to 2005 and is the school's all-time receptions leader.

Klint Alexander Kubiak is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He has coached in the NFL and college following his playing career at Colorado State University. Kubiak served as Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator in 2021. He is the son of Gary Kubiak, former head coach of the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.

Matthew Clay Mumme is an American college football coach. He is the associate head coach and quarterbacks coach for Colorado State University, a position he has held since 2022. He was head coach of the LaGrange Panthers from 2013 to 2016.

Kenny Dillingham is an American football coach who is currently the head football coach at Arizona State University. He previously served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Oregon, Florida State University, Auburn University and the University of Memphis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Lanning</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

Daniel Arthur Lanning is an American football coach at the University of Oregon. He was previously the defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at the University of Georgia from 2019 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Colorado State Rams football team</span> Colorado State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season

The 2021 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rams were led by second–year head coach Steve Addazio and played their home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado, as members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference.

Jon Budmayr is an American football coach who is currently the wide receivers coach for Iowa. He played college football at Wisconsin.

The 2021 Quick Lane Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 27, 2021, with kickoff at 11:00 a.m. EST, televised on ESPN. It was the 7th edition of the Quick Lane Bowl, and was one of the 2021–22 bowl games concluding the 2021 FBS football season. The game's title sponsor was Quick Lane Tire and auto centers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Colorado State Rams football team</span> American college football season

The 2022 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University as a member of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Jay Norvell, the Rams compiled an overall record of 3–9 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, placing fifth in the MW's Mountain Division. Colorado State played home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Mountain West Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2022 Mountain West Conference football season was the 24th season of College football for the Mountain West Conference. It was part of the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. 12 teams competed in the conference during the season. The season began August 27 and concluded on December 3 with the Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game. The full schedule for the season was released on February 16, 2022

Thomas Sheffield is an American football coach. He is currently the Special teams coordinator at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Previous stops include Sam Houston State University, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, the University of North Texas, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the University of Nevada, Reno.

References

  1. Ebling, Jack (May 26, 1995). "Winning Team Complete". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. p. 1C. Retrieved September 3, 2022 via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  2. "Jay Norvell NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  3. Kersey, Jason. "Oklahoma football: Bob Stoops fires co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell". The Oklahoman.
  4. "Texas HC Charlie Strong: Jay Norvell will take over play calling from Shawn Watson". September 8, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  5. "Arizona State hires former Texas play caller Jay Norvell". February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  6. "Nevada 2017 football schedule" . Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  7. "2018 Arizona Bowl" . Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  8. "MW Announces 2021 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors". Mountain West Conference . November 30, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  9. "Jay Norvell to be named CSU Rams football coach, source says". The Denver Post . December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  10. "Keeler: Jay Norvell is upgrade for CSU Rams as football coach. Because he's everything Steve Addazio wasn't". The Denver Post . December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  11. Murray, Chris (November 20, 2019). "'HCN' -- Why Nevada's Jay Norvell has dedicated the season to his mom". Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  12. "Cynthia Norvell". Estes Ledley Funeral Home. June 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2023.