Is Norvell next in line?
Published: 5/27/2009 9:56 PM
Last Modified: 5/27/2009 9:56 PM
It's a safe bet that Oklahoma coordinators Brent Venables and Kevin Wilson will once again find their names in the mix for head coaching positions next December, when the regular season winds down and pink slips start flying. Both assistants are more than ready for their first go at running their own program, and Bob Stoops is fortunate both have stuck around as long as they have.
Here's another name to keep in mind: Jay Norvell.
The Sooners' assistant offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach was mentioned in connection with Boston College and New Mexico State last end-of-season, before returning for a second year in Norman. Stoops may not be so lucky next December.
The staff at Rivals.com recently fielded the question, "Which current assistant do you think we'll be talking about as a head coach at this time next year?"
Tom Dienhart went with Norvell.
"He's ready," Dienhart wrote. "Norvell is a bright mind who also has been an NFL assistant with Oakland and Indianapolis and an offensive coordinator at Nebraska and UCLA. Norvell has come close to landing head-coaching jobs in the past, interviewing for posts at Boston College, Iowa State and Purdue, among others. But his time appears to be now."
Steve Megargee, by the way, chose Wilson.
"If the Sooners remain prolific on offense this fall even though they're returning just one starting lineman from the 2008 squad," Megargee wrote, "Wilson ought to earn a head-coaching opportunity at the end of the season."
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
