ASU Football: Norvell Hitting his Stride

ASU assistant football coach Mike Norvell is set to begin year three as the offensive coordinator for the Sun Devils.  In his first two seasons, Norvell has put together some explosive offenses.  Last year’s offensive unit was in the top 15 in the country.  With many returners and incoming playmakers, Norvell may be hitting his stride as this coming season’s offense is expected to be just as explosive, if not more so. 

Norvell, who is still in his 30’s and a former offensive player in high school and college, might be described as a younger version of head coach Todd Graham.  Norvell, like Graham, is tireless and spirited.  Driven.  He never takes a play off when he’s coaching.  He always wants more reps, more work, more snaps.  He’s one of those rare coaches (along with Graham) that would be fine with practicing 9 hours a day and follow it up with 3 hours of film work, only pausing to eat and maybe take a nap.

That mentality and approach is contagious.  It’s probably why Graham hired him, made him a Deputy Head Coach and asked the administration to give him a pay raise.  Graham doesn’t want to lose him.  (as an assistant, although he’d gladly like to see Norvell be a head coach someday).

Norvell’s hurry up, spread out, run/pass read-option offense is very similar to UCLA’s Noel Mazzone’s offense.  Casual fans might not have noticed the transition from Mazzone (ASU coach 2010,2011) to Norvell.  The difference can be subtle.  Mazzone’s offense had more motions and swing passes.  But the philosophy, the reads, and the progressions are not quite the same.

In any event, Norvell, who is also an avid recruiter, is truly coming of age as an authority on offensive football.  He is on the radar of many Athletic Directors looking for a new head coach.  ASU fans are hoping he’ll stick around a few more years and keep reloading this potent, high-octane offense.