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          Pac-12 Blog

          New Memphis coach Mike Norvell put up big numbers at ASU

          In Mike Norvell, Memphis gets a coach who oversaw one of the most explosive offenses in the Pac-12 over the last four years. AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File
          • Kyle Bonagura, ESPN Staff WriterDec 4, 2015, 07:25 PM ET
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            • Covers the Pac-12.
            • Joined ESPN in 2014.
            • Attended Washington State University.
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          It was only a matter of time before Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell was swooped up to be a head coach. He has long been considered one of the Pac-12’s best head-coaching candidates, and after five years as a coordinator under Todd Graham -- the last four at Arizona State -- he has a great landing spot in Memphis.

          "This is the perfect time and this is the perfect place," Norvell said at an introductory news conference Friday. "I was in such a great situation that it had to be right. It had to be all about the fit and all about the family."

          He inherits a program that was revived under the leadership of new Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente, who guided the Tigers to a 19-6 record over the last two seasons. Memphis was 6-18 in Fuente’s first two years, but just 5-31 in the three years before he took over.

          In Norvell, Memphis gets a coach who oversaw one of the most explosive offenses in the Pac-12 over the past four years.

          Here’s how the Sun Devils ranked in various offensive categories over the past four years:

          • No. 1 in drives per game (14.2)

          • No. 2 in points per drive (2.45)

          • No. 2 in drive scoring percentage (41.8 percent)

          • No. 3 in lowest turnover percentage per drive (9.2 percent)

          • No. 3 in lowest three-and-out percentage per drive (25.6 percent)

          • No. 3 in plays per game (78.3)

          • No. 5 in touchdowns per drive (30.3 percent)

          And if more traditional metrics are more your thing:

          • No. 5 in total yards per game (459.2)

          • No. 7 in yards per play (5.86)

          • No. 5 in rushing yards per game (187.7)

          • No. 5 in passing yards per game (271.5)

          This year, though, despite lofty expectations, the Sun Devils took a step back.

          They ranked No. 8 in points per drive (2.16), No. 8 in touchdowns per drive (25.6 percent), No. 9 in drive scoring percentage (38.1) and punted more frequently than every team in the conference except Oregon State (39.7 percent of drives).

          Norvell joins USC's Clay Helton and Oregon's Scott Frost (Central Florida) and becomes the third Pac-12 offensive coordinator from the start of the year to be elevated to head coach. It's not immediately clear who will succeed Norvell in Tempe, Arizona.