ASU assistant Jay Norvell among finalists for Nevada head coaching post

Monday night, Arizona State offensive assistant Jay Norvell was in the kitchen of quarterback Blake Barnett, celebrating the former Alabama signal caller’s transfer to ASU and Todd Graham’s birthday.

Tuesday morning, Norvell has been identified as one of the three finalists for the Nevada head coaching position.

#Nevada's search is heating up w/ #Vandy OC Andy Ludwig, #ASU asst Jay Norvell & #EWU Beau Baldwin source tells @FOXSports.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 6, 2016

These three are the top candidates at Nevada. Told that former Wolf Pack coach Chris Ault heavily involved in search process. https://t.co/DPvhqziZl6

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 6, 2016

Norvell just finished his first year on Graham’s staff, serving as passing game coordinator. Despite injury challenges, the Sun Devils were able to throw the football with some success under his tutelage. Arizona State averaged 259.2 yards per game through the air — good enough for seventh in the Pac-12.

The 53-year-old has an extensive coaching résumé, which includes stops at Texas, Oklahoma, UCLA, Nebraska, Iowa State and Northern Iowa in college and stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Oakland Raiders in the NFL.

Nevada’s job opened after the Wolfpack fired Brian Polian following a 5-7 season. Polian went 23-27 in four years on the job, including a win in the 2015 Arizona Bowl over Colorado State.

Norvell isn’t the first offensive assistant on Graham’s staff to be linked to head coaching openings since the end of the season. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who was also at Barnett’s home Monday, has been mentioned as a candidate for the openings at Georgia State and Troy.

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