Graham adds Pitt assistant Norvell to ASU staff

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Mike Norvell, a key figure in Todd Graham's high-octane offense, has been named an assistant football coach at Arizona State, new head coach Todd Graham announced Friday. Norvell, who has worked with Graham for the past five seasons at Tulsa and Pitt, was co-offensive coordinator at Pitt along with Calvin Magee, who recently left Pitt to be offensive coordinator on Rich Rodriguez's staff at Arizona. Norvell was also wide receivers coach and director of recruiting at Pitt. ASU's announcement did not specify whether Norvell will be the Sun Devils' offensive coordinator. Norvell, 30, started as an offensive graduate assistant and receivers coach at Tulsa, then spent two seasons as passing-game coordinator and receivers coach before adding director of recruiting to his title in 2010 and eventually taking the same roles on Graham's staff at Pitt. The Panthers' offense was inconsistent this season, scoring more than 30 points five times but finishing 70th nationally in scoring (25.8 points per game) and 84th nationally in yardage (362.2 yards per game) as Pitt finished 6-6. The passing game averaged 211 yards, good for 76th nationally. But while Norvell was at Tulsa, the Golden Hurricane had five 1,000-yard receivers. His most accomplished pupil was All-America receiver Damaris Johnson, who led the country in all-purpose yards for two consecutive years and set the all-time NCAA FBS record in that category with 7,796 career yards. In 2008, Norvell's receivers were a vital part of college football's most prolific offense. Tulsa averaged an astounding 569.9 yards per game that season to lead the country. The Golden Hurricane ranked second nationally in scoring (47.1 points per game) and ninth in passing yards (301.8 yards per game). Tulsa also topped the country in total offense in 2007 (543.9 yardsgame) and set 29 school records, 15 Conference USA marks and four NCAA records. The '07 Golden Hurricane became the first team in NCAA history to have a 5,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and three 1,000-yard receivers in a single season. Prior to Tulsa, Norvell was an offensive graduate assistant at his alma mater, Central Arkansas. In addition to coaching receivers and H-backs, he contributed in coaching UCA's special teams.