Norvell addresses reports linking him to openings
Tigers defensive lineman a social media star after sprinting to make block on offense
For the second straight year, Memphis football coach Mike Norvell’s name is being mentioned as a candidate for multiple job openings at Power Five conference schools.
Norvell addressed those reports Tuesday after practice ahead of Saturday’s American Athletic Conference championship game against UCF.
“I think it’s always a compliment when people are saying good things about you, your staff, your football team because of what we’ve been able to accomplish,” Norvell said.
“There’s a tremendous commitment here at Memphis and I think more than any words I can say, I think I’ve proved with my actions the commitment I have to this community to what we’re doing.”
Reports have mentioned Norvell as a
Central Florida is outscoring opponents by 23.6 points per game this season. The only team to play the Knights within single digits was Memphis (31-30 on Oct. 13). candidate for head coaching vacancies at Louisville, Colorado and Texas Tech.
Norvell, 37, signed a five-year, $13 million contract extension with Memphis last December after his name popped up during numerous coaching
The clip has been viewed at least 123,000 times on Twitter and it still boggles the mind.
Memphis defensive lineman Joseph Dorceus lined up at fullback for the team’s jumbo package. He threw a lead block to spring Darrell Henderson free against in Friday’s win over Houston.
Then Dorceus, all 275 pounds of him, raced full speed ahead of Henderson for about 28 yards to throw another block just before Henderson completed his 60-yard touchdown run.
The score helped Memphis pull away from Houston to clinch its second straight AAC West division championship, but it was Dorceus running stride for stride with one of the nation’s most explosive running backs that made the sophomore a social media sensation.
“I knew if he got to that level, those little legs would get churning pretty good,” Memphis coach Mike Norvell said. “I think it might have shocked Darrell a little bit but he was definitely grateful he was knocking guys down on his path to the end zone.”
It earned Dorceus a trip to the postgame podium where he muscled his way to join Henderson, Tony Pollard and Patrick Taylor.
So did he feel like part of the running back crew?
“If they would have me,” Dorceus said with a chuckle.
It was the latest moment in a breakout year for the sophomore after he was awarded a scholarship over the summer.
He already emerged as one of the team’s best pass rushers with six sacks and a team-high seven quarterback hurries.
Norvell has used Dorceus, who ran for 15 touchdowns in high school, in short-yardage situations before, but against Houston, he spent the entire fourth quarter on offense opening holes for Henderson and Taylor. The Tigers did not attempt a pass while rushing for
searches last season. He is the highestpaid Group of Five coach with an annual salary of $2.6 million.
Norvell’s contract includes a $500,000 buyout if he were to leave Memphis for another head coaching job.
In his three years at Memphis, Norvell has a 26-12 record. It’s the most wins of any coach over a three-year span at Memphis. He also led the Tigers to consecutive AAC West division championships.
Memphis safety Thomas out for rest of the season
Memphis safety La’Andre Thomas made his return against Houston and recorded three tackles in the Tigers’ win.
But it will be his last action for 2018.
Norvell announced that Thomas suffered a setback and will not play for the rest of the season. With Houston being Thomas’ fourth game, the sophomore can redshirt and retain his final three years of eligibility.
Thomas, who switched positions from cornerback to safety in the spring, missed the previous eight games with an undisclosed injury that he suffered against Georgia State on Sept. 14.
Norvell said earlier this month the plan was to play Thomas in only one more game to not burn his redshirt. When safety Carlito Gonzalez suffered an injury against SMU and did not play against Houston, Norvell said there were discussions on whether to play Thomas the rest of the season.
After Thomas’ setback, the decision became easier to shut him down for the season. He was seen at practice Tuesday wearing a red, non-contact jersey.
Norvell said that Sanchez Blake Jr. and Thomas Pickens will see more reps at safety.