ASU promotes OC Mike Norvell to Deputy Head Coach

ASU offensive coordinator Mike Norvell had been a hot commodity of late.

As our own Brad Cesmat reported earlier in the week, Arkansas State had reached out to the 32 year-old coach seeking his services to be their head coach. Todd Graham had also mentioned the fact that major programs had reached out to Norvell to become their offensive coordinator as well.

But President Michael Crow, Todd Graham and ASU put all of that to rest on Wednesday as they announced that Norvell had been promoted to be the programs Deputy Head Coach and will stay with the program for at least another season.

“I am committed to the long-term success of this program under the leadership of Todd Graham,” stated ASU President Dr. Michael Crow. “Rewarding the skills of a master teacher like Mike Norvell is a demonstration of that commitment. Coach Norvell’s performance as offensive coordinator has been nationally recognized, and this promotion reflects the remarkable track record he has established in the last two years at ASU.”

“I work with a world-class head coach and staff, and have the opportunity every day to teach world-class student-athletes at one of the top public universities in the world,” Norvell added. “I am proud of what we have accomplished in two years here, but I remain devoted to our ultimate goal of bringing a championship to the valley.”

Under Norvell, the Sun Devils offense tallied more than 12,000 total yards and 1,032 total points in his two seasons as offensive coordinator. That is the most in a two-year span at ASU since 1972-73. He was nominated for the Broyles Award this past November, given to nation’s most outstanding assistant football coach.

“I have been extremely fortunate,” mentioned Norvell. “I have been blessed to be placed in great opportunities, been with some tremendous coaches and have been able to learn a lot of things.”

Graham gave Norvell his first division I coaching position under Graham while the two were at Tulsa. Both mentioned the word “loyalty” to being a big factor to getting to the position of where they stand today.

“I believe that hard work pays off, I believe that loyalty pays off, and you know, I am extremely blessed to be in the situation that I’m in and I am looking forward to continuing to go,” said Norvell.

“For him to have that kind of loyalty, I am grateful to have that kind of relationship,” stated Graham. “Mike is the trustee to my will! So it is nice to have a guy like that who you work with everyday.”

So what does a Deputy Head Coach do? The two didn’t go into much detail but it seems the dynamic on the coaching staff will be very similar to what it has been the last two seasons.

“There are probably going to be a couple of other things that I will be a part of and obviously help Coach Graham in every way that I can but my job is to make sure that I am leading this offense,” explained Norvell. “Making sure we are putting out a great product on the field and continuing to score points and developing these young men to be the best that they can be.”

Todd Graham stated on Tuesday that he has no plans of coaching anywhere else anytime soon and added this news with Norvell as a statement to be made for Sun Devil nation regarding their future as a staff in Tempe.

“I want Sun Devil Nation to know our commitment to this program,” stated Graham. “We’re not talking to anybody else, we’re not planning on talking to anybody else, yes Coach Norvell has been approached by people about head coaching jobs…But he is 100% committed, I am 100% committed to build a national power here.”