UCLA has hired Jay Norvell to replace Jim Svoboda as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the football team, it was announced Friday.
Norvell has been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Nebraska for the last three years. Last year, with Norvell at the helm, Nebraska ranked in the top 25 in passing offense, rushing offense, total offense and scoring offense.
Under his guidance of the offense, Nebraska was ranked 23rd nationally in passing offense.
Under Norvell’s wing as quarterbacks coach, senior quarterback Zac Taylor earned Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and set school records in passing.
Norvell has long been an assistant to Cornhuskers’ coach Bill Callahan, stretching back to when Norvell was tight ends coach for Callahan’s Oakland Raiders in 2002. Norvell’s time under Callahan has left him educated in the West Coast offense.
“Jay has a great background in offensive football and has experienced success both in the collegiate ranks and the NFL,” UCLA coach Karl Dorrell told UCLABruins.com. “He has coached several different positions, giving him an understanding of offenses from various viewpoints.
“Under his leadership, Nebraska has set numerous passing records while continuing to have a potent running attack. He has a great understanding of our offensive schemes and will help our program continue to build on our previous success.”
Aside from having an understanding of the offense in general, Norvell has specific knowledge of each part. On top of having been a quarterbacks and tight end coach, Norvell has put in time as a wide receivers coach. While working for the Indianapolis Colts from 1998 to 2001, he spent time tutoring prolific wide receiver Marvin Harrison.
Svoboda was fired largely because of the ineffectiveness of the offense this year, in contrast to a much improved defense.
Before coming to UCLA, Svoboda spent most of his time working as an offensive coach in systems designed around multiple-offensive formations and spread formations. However, he appeared to have difficulty calling plays in a more structured and unfamiliar system in his first year as a Division I offensive coordinator.
After the loss against Cal, Dorrell took more of a role in the offensive play-calling ““ a move that signaled the beginning of the end for Svoboda as the offensive coordinator.
Norvell, 43, played at Iowa as well as one season in the NFL as a defensive back with the Chicago Bears.
His relationship with Callahan, a man skilled in the West Coast offense, dates back to when they were both coaches with the Wisconsin Badgers from 1989 to 1994.