This may be an unpopular opinion since the popular thing to do right now is to start dumpster fires. I've read everything out there regarding why Seth Littrell and KSU fell apart. From OU provision, to retaining staff, to $$ issues, and to maybe we walked away (Blackcats on gE). Bottom line, doesn't matter at this point.
What's important is "who's next?"
I really like Mike Norvell. As much as I liked Seth Littrell.
Why? First, recruiting.
Even though Littrell had a high ranking recruiting class, I looked at each and every player that was committed. They had high rivals rankings, but were short on other p5 offers. He had about 2 guys with other p5 offers. It was concerning to me. People were excited for the high ranking, but a close scrutiny of who those guys are, showed that pretty much all his guys had no P5 interest.
Norvell on the other hand, has quite a few, and very impressive for a non-p5 school. It's obvious they are not afraid to recruit against the big boys.
Jarod Conner - Ole Miss offer
Gyasi Mattison - Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee offers
Cole Mashburn - Iowa State offer
Ja'Len Sims - Auburn, LSU and Louisville offers
Trevis Hopper - Clemson, Auburn, Arkansas, Georgia offers
Joseph Honeysucker - Louisville offer
Wardalis Ducksworth - Ole Miss offer
Jashon Watkins - Arkansas, Florida offers
The footprint of his recruits are in the southeast. This may raise concerns. However, I'm not that concerned. If he can pull these guys to Memphis, I'm confident he can pull them to Manhattan and to a P5 program. With technology and ease of travel, geography is becoming less and less relevant. Hickson, in his first year, was able to successfully infiltrate Florida. We had an Army All-American RB set to come to KSU if it wasn't for the coaching uncertainty.
I feel confident that Norvell will be able to recruit well to KSU, pulling from his current connections in the Southeast, and new connections he would make in KS, OK, and Texas by simply keeping a few current coaches on staff such as Seiler, Norwood, Collin Klein, and Braet.
Second, Offensive scheme:
Ian Boyd put it best, so here it is.
https://www.footballstudyhall.com/2...e-inclusive-spread-offense-memphis-tigers-rpo
The TL;DR is that Mike Norvell's offense is his offense. Big time programs are hiring away his OCs to learn Mike's approach. Boyd feels like his offense would be a good fit for KSU. It would definitely work for Skylar Thompson the next 2 years.
Third, Defense:
His Defense at Memphis was shit. No way around that. However, I strongly believe in Blake Seiler. I think he has the makings of a great coach. Him remaining on staff with Norwood, plus who Norvell brings will be ok for me. The main problem with our D has been talent. If Norvell allows our guys to recruit, I am very confident we will get the talent that's needed, and with Blake's genius, get them to perform well.
4th, Culture:
This is another box that people are looking at. What we would get with Norvell is a young coach, that's well liked by his players. This is far from the Snyder tree. I think Norvell coming in would be something drastically different, and I think KSU will get the culture change it's looking for.
5th, Fuente effect:
A lot of people put stock in the fact that he followed Fuente and his success is because of that. I personally don't discount him because he inherited a decent situation. It's still his offense. And he's still going out there and grabbing good players. P5 programs are hiring his coaches because they want to know what's under the hood of Norvell's success.
Conclusion:
Can we get him here? I don't know. Is there mutual interest? I don't know.
If Littrell did come down to finances, perhaps keeping Seiler and Norwood would make the difference. Norvell's D is poo. Keeping a few of our Defensive coaches might bridge the financial gap if the issue was finances.
What's important is "who's next?"
I really like Mike Norvell. As much as I liked Seth Littrell.
Why? First, recruiting.
Even though Littrell had a high ranking recruiting class, I looked at each and every player that was committed. They had high rivals rankings, but were short on other p5 offers. He had about 2 guys with other p5 offers. It was concerning to me. People were excited for the high ranking, but a close scrutiny of who those guys are, showed that pretty much all his guys had no P5 interest.
Norvell on the other hand, has quite a few, and very impressive for a non-p5 school. It's obvious they are not afraid to recruit against the big boys.
Jarod Conner - Ole Miss offer
Gyasi Mattison - Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee offers
Cole Mashburn - Iowa State offer
Ja'Len Sims - Auburn, LSU and Louisville offers
Trevis Hopper - Clemson, Auburn, Arkansas, Georgia offers
Joseph Honeysucker - Louisville offer
Wardalis Ducksworth - Ole Miss offer
Jashon Watkins - Arkansas, Florida offers
The footprint of his recruits are in the southeast. This may raise concerns. However, I'm not that concerned. If he can pull these guys to Memphis, I'm confident he can pull them to Manhattan and to a P5 program. With technology and ease of travel, geography is becoming less and less relevant. Hickson, in his first year, was able to successfully infiltrate Florida. We had an Army All-American RB set to come to KSU if it wasn't for the coaching uncertainty.
I feel confident that Norvell will be able to recruit well to KSU, pulling from his current connections in the Southeast, and new connections he would make in KS, OK, and Texas by simply keeping a few current coaches on staff such as Seiler, Norwood, Collin Klein, and Braet.
Second, Offensive scheme:
Ian Boyd put it best, so here it is.
https://www.footballstudyhall.com/2...e-inclusive-spread-offense-memphis-tigers-rpo
The TL;DR is that Mike Norvell's offense is his offense. Big time programs are hiring away his OCs to learn Mike's approach. Boyd feels like his offense would be a good fit for KSU. It would definitely work for Skylar Thompson the next 2 years.
Third, Defense:
His Defense at Memphis was shit. No way around that. However, I strongly believe in Blake Seiler. I think he has the makings of a great coach. Him remaining on staff with Norwood, plus who Norvell brings will be ok for me. The main problem with our D has been talent. If Norvell allows our guys to recruit, I am very confident we will get the talent that's needed, and with Blake's genius, get them to perform well.
4th, Culture:
This is another box that people are looking at. What we would get with Norvell is a young coach, that's well liked by his players. This is far from the Snyder tree. I think Norvell coming in would be something drastically different, and I think KSU will get the culture change it's looking for.
5th, Fuente effect:
A lot of people put stock in the fact that he followed Fuente and his success is because of that. I personally don't discount him because he inherited a decent situation. It's still his offense. And he's still going out there and grabbing good players. P5 programs are hiring his coaches because they want to know what's under the hood of Norvell's success.
Conclusion:
Can we get him here? I don't know. Is there mutual interest? I don't know.
If Littrell did come down to finances, perhaps keeping Seiler and Norwood would make the difference. Norvell's D is poo. Keeping a few of our Defensive coaches might bridge the financial gap if the issue was finances.
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