Norvell takes UCLA coordinator job
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Excited about a chance to advance professionally, Jay Norvell is returning to the West Coast — as offensive coordinator at UCLA.
Norvell, who spent the past three seasons as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, accepted the Bruins position Friday after interviewing Thursday.
“This is an opportunity for me to branch out and take the next step — to be a play-caller as well as a game-planner and teacher,” said the 43-year-old Norvell, who came to Nebraska in January 2004 after two seasons as tight ends coach with the NFL Oakland Raiders.
At Nebraska, Norvell said he worked “hand-in-hand” with head coach Bill Callahan in formulating game plans. However, Callahan called plays on game day, with Norvell communicating with the head coach from the press box.
“Bill’s been a mentor to me, and I appreciate everything he’s done,” Norvell said. “These past three years have been really special to me and I want to express that.”
However, Norvell said becoming a play-caller for the first time could help him reach his objective of becoming a head coach. A native of Madison, Wis., he interviewed in recent months for head coaching positions at Iowa State, Boston College and North Texas.
As for Norvell’s replacement at Nebraska, Husker tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator Shawn Watson is regarded as the clear front-runner. The 47-year-old Watson arrived at NU last January after seven seasons at Colorado, the last six as offensive coordinator in a West Coast system.
If Watson is promoted, early speculation pointed to Nebraska filling out its staff with Eric Roark, defensive ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Southern Methodist. He’s highly regarded for his recruiting connections in the state of Texas, particularly Dallas.
Norvell earned $225,000 annually at Nebraska. He said he is set for a “significant” pay raise at UCLA, although he declined specifics. In addition to his coordinator duties, he will coach quarterbacks.
Norvell replaces former UCLA offensive coordinator Jim Svoboda, who was fired Jan. 18 by Bruins head coach Karl Dorrell. Svoboda, 46, was UCLA’s quarterbacks coach in 2004-05 and added offensive coordinator duties this season. A former head coach at Nebraska Wesleyan, Svoboda was criticized by fans for conservative play-calling.
UCLA finished the season with a 7-6 record, losing 44-27 to Florida State in the Emerald Bowl. The Bruins averaged 23 points per game to finish 64th nationally after averaging more than 39 in 2005 while finishing 10-2.
UCLA will return 20 starters — 10 on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Bruins lost only their starting center.
“They have high expectations for this team,” Norvell said. “It’s an opportunity to be part of something special.”
Norvell helped lead a Nebraska offense that this season finished 14th nationally, averaging 414.6 yards per game. The Huskers were 23rd in both passing yards and rushing yards, while averaging 30.6 points to rank 17th nationally.
Norvell said he will take elements of Nebraska’s West Coast system to UCLA, which already uses some West Coast principles.
“It’ll be the UCLA offense, with some qualities we had here,” Norvell said. “The structure of the offense makes it flexible. You can say what you want, but not a lot of teams could use four running backs and four tight ends and all those wide receivers like we did, and have all those guys play like they did.
“I’m proud that we did that, and proud of the way our players were so unselfish.”
Norvell said a consideration in taking over at UCLA was the health of his wife, 38-year-old Kim, who has cystic fibrosis. The couple has a 7-year-old son, Jaden.
“The Bay Area was probably the best climate for her,” Norvell said. “The temperature was in the 60s and 70s most of the year, and it’s not humid. Southern California will be a great environment, too.”
Said Kim Norvell: “I’m sad to leave Lincoln, because there are so many people here that I love so much.” However, “I have a connection with the ocean. I’ll be glad to be there. And I’ve also missed my sushi.”
With the hiring of Norvell, UCLA is believed to be the only Division I program that has black men at head coach and both coordinator positions. DeWayne Walker is the Bruins’ defensive coordinator.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Norvell interviewed for UCLA’s offensive coordinator spot in December 2003 before taking the job at Nebraska.
Callahan, in a prepared statement, thanked Norvell for his contributions at NU.
“Coach Norvell has a bright future in this profession and this is an excellent opportunity for him professionally.”
Callahan’s son, Brian, played quarterback at UCLA and currently is a graduate assistant with the team.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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