Jay Norvell is leaving the Good Life to become the offensive coordinator at UCLA. As we speculated this morning, Norvell is leaving to advance his professional career by becoming a full-fledged offensive coordinator.
Family life and the health of his wife were other big factors, although oddly enough these were not factors when considering a head coaching position in either Ames (Iowa State) or Boston College. From Husker Extra:
Norvell said another consideration in taking over at UCLA was the health of his wife, 38-year-old Kim Norvell, who has cystic fibrosis. The couple has one child, 6-year-old Jaden.
"The Bay Area was probably the best climate for her," Norvell said. "The temperature was in the 60s and 70s most of the year, and it's not humid. Southern California will be a great environment, too."
At the least, Nebraska will need to find a new quarterbacks coach, and possibly someone to help Bill Callahan with his strategerizin'.
The guys at Bruins Nation don't expect much, as they are not exactly pleased with head man Karl Dorrell. Check the comments section. I guess if the only game I had to reference was the USC game, I'd be worried about what my offense would look like too.
I sincerely hope Nebraska fans don't take this as some sign that he didn't like Nebraska or being at Nebraska. The days that coachs stayed around for 10 years before moving on are gone. The idea that John Blake and Jay Norvell leaving has as much to do with opportunities as it does with problems at Nebraska.
I'd love to hear anyone's comments about John Blake and Jay Norvell leaving. Might as well get it off your chest here as anywhere else.