University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Norvell Named to Paul “Bear” Bryant Watch List
Oct 18, 2017 | Football
Tiger coach is one of 20 coaches on this year's watch list.
MEMPHIS – Memphis football coach Mike Norvell has been named to the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list it was announced, Wednesday. Norvell is one of 20 coaches to make this year's list. The finalists will be announced in December and the winner will be presented the award on Jan. 10 during the awards dinner and ceremony at the Hilton Americas in Houston.
In his second season at the helm of the Memphis football program, Norvell has guided the Tigers to a combined 13-6 record. Memphis is currently 5-1 overall and 2-1 in American Athletic Conference play. Following a 30-27 win over then-No. 24/25 ranked Navy, the second win over a ranked foe for Memphis this season, Norvell's Tiger team broke in to the Associated Press top 25 poll this week for the first time since 2015.
Under Norvell's guidance, a pair of Tigers has also captured national weekly honors so far this season. Senior quarterback Riley Ferguson was named the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week after guiding Memphis to a win over then-No. 25 ranked UCLA. This week, sophomore defender Austin Hall made a move to strong safety and earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week award for his 10-tackle, two-interception, one fumble recovery and one pass break-up performance in the win over Navy. On Wednesday morning, Hall was also named the weekly winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week.
Norvell is one of three American Athletic Conference coaches on the 20-coach watch list. UCF's Scott Frost and USF's Charlie Strong are also on the list released Wednesday. The other coaches on the list from outside of the American Athletic Conference are: Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Dave Doeren (North Carolina State), James Franklin (Penn State), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Clay Helton (USC), Brian Kelly (Notre Dame), Mike Leach (Washington State), Rocky Long (San Diego State), Urban Meyer (Ohio State), Gary Patterson (TCU), Chris Petersen (Washington), Mark Richt (Miami), Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma), Nick Saban (Alabama), Kirby Smart (Georgia), and Dabo Swinney (Clemson).
Memphis is currently heading to Houston to face the Cougars in an American Athletic Conference West Division match-up. That game will kick off at 7 p.m. (CT), Thursday and will air nationally on ESPN. Memphis returns home next week to host another West Division opponent, Tulane, on Friday, Oct. 27th at 7 p.m. (CT). That game will be carried by CBS Sports Network.
In his second season at the helm of the Memphis football program, Norvell has guided the Tigers to a combined 13-6 record. Memphis is currently 5-1 overall and 2-1 in American Athletic Conference play. Following a 30-27 win over then-No. 24/25 ranked Navy, the second win over a ranked foe for Memphis this season, Norvell's Tiger team broke in to the Associated Press top 25 poll this week for the first time since 2015.
Under Norvell's guidance, a pair of Tigers has also captured national weekly honors so far this season. Senior quarterback Riley Ferguson was named the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week after guiding Memphis to a win over then-No. 25 ranked UCLA. This week, sophomore defender Austin Hall made a move to strong safety and earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week award for his 10-tackle, two-interception, one fumble recovery and one pass break-up performance in the win over Navy. On Wednesday morning, Hall was also named the weekly winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week.
Norvell is one of three American Athletic Conference coaches on the 20-coach watch list. UCF's Scott Frost and USF's Charlie Strong are also on the list released Wednesday. The other coaches on the list from outside of the American Athletic Conference are: Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Dave Doeren (North Carolina State), James Franklin (Penn State), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Clay Helton (USC), Brian Kelly (Notre Dame), Mike Leach (Washington State), Rocky Long (San Diego State), Urban Meyer (Ohio State), Gary Patterson (TCU), Chris Petersen (Washington), Mark Richt (Miami), Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma), Nick Saban (Alabama), Kirby Smart (Georgia), and Dabo Swinney (Clemson).
Memphis is currently heading to Houston to face the Cougars in an American Athletic Conference West Division match-up. That game will kick off at 7 p.m. (CT), Thursday and will air nationally on ESPN. Memphis returns home next week to host another West Division opponent, Tulane, on Friday, Oct. 27th at 7 p.m. (CT). That game will be carried by CBS Sports Network.
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