Mike Norvell adds two ASU assistants to Memphis coaching staff
Jan 4, 2016, 12:51 PM
Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Many knew former Arizona State assistant Mike Norvell’s acceptance of the Memphis head coaching position would mean the Sun Devils would be replacing more than their offensive coordinator.
Head coach Todd Graham will have his work cut out for him now that the Tigers hired two more key assistants away from ASU.
Former ASU safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Chris Ball was named Memphis’ new defensive coordinator on Monday, while former ASU tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Chip Long is the Tigers’ offensive coordinator under Norvell.
Like Norvell, both Ball and Long will be difficult to replace on the recruiting front along with their familiarity of Graham’s system.
Those aren’t the only changes that tie to the Sun Devils.
Former Arizona State sports performance staffer Josh Storms joins Norvell as the Memphis football team’s strength coach.
The Tigers also announced Paul Randolph as their defensive line coach. Randolph was Graham’s associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator before being assigned to become the associate athletic director for championship life in 2015.
Other Arizona State connections include Ryan Silverfield — Memphis’ offensive line coach who was ASU’s senior offensive analyst last year before working with the Detroit Lions in 2015 — and Dan Lanning. Lanning spent time on Alabama’s coaching staff this season and was with Arizona State as a graduate assistant at the beginning of Graham’s tenure.
Additionally, Joe Lorig, a former ASU special teams coordinator in 2012-13, joins Memphis as a special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach.
