With the Memphis Tigers playing their best football in the programs history, Coach Mike Norvell has become one of the hottest names on the potential market in college football.
Norvell’s Tigers started the season with three straight wins including an upset vs. #23 ranked UCLA at the time. After an embarrassing 13-40 loss to UCF, the Tigers stormed back to win six straight games, which included wins over conference powerhouses Navy and Houston, which was enough to give Memphis a spot in the Top 25.
“Anytime you have success people nationally, are going to talk about what you’re doing,” Norvell said in a news conference last Monday.
The Tigers are currently ranked number 17th in the country with their last regular season game against East Carolina Saturday. Last week, The Tigers won the American West division by defeating SMU 66-45 clinching their first conference championship berth in programs history.
However, With Coach Norvell having such a great season, it is very common for rumors of a new coaching jobs for other coaches who are succeeding at up and coming programs especially when the powerhouse programs like Baylor, Arkansas, Florida, and Tennessee are having losing season and firing their Head Coaches.
“People are talk about Top 25 and things like that and those are positive things, I sure don’t want to see the other side of things,” said Norvell.
Norvell came to Memphis as a first time head coach in the beginning of 2016 winning eight games setting the record for number of wins by a first year coach in the program. Currently, Norvell is 16-6 with only two losses to out of conference teams. Players appreciate Norvell’s efforts.
“He’s a great coach,” said Redshirt Freshman Cornerback Jacobi Francis. ‘He came with a plan and we’re making it happen every week.” ‘He’s turning the program around and making sure we remain focus on the task at hand and that’s winning the game.”
If Norvell leaves, he would not be the first time Memphis has seen their coach move on to another program. Virginia Tech Head Coach Justin Fuente left Memphis after three seasons. Which in the 2015 season, the Tigers started 8-0 with an upsetting victory over ranked Ole Miss and finished the season at 9-3.
Daily Helmsman Sports Reporter Abigail Warren said the fallout from Fuente’s departure never happened.
“When Fuente left everyone thought things would be awful but Memphis is projected to have their best season this year so teams want him just as much,” Warren said.
Warren said money is one reason Norvell may leave.
“If he stay, he’d build a dynasty, but Memphis doesn’t have the money that big SEC school have to offer him so there a big potential chance he could leave.”
Seametrus Battle Jr. 