Malzahn leaves Tulsa

[ALEX LIFESON]

Herb Hand was promoted to Assistant Head Coach and takes over full OC duties
Graduate Assistant Mike Norvell will be elevated to full-time receivers coach and passing game coordinator, while Bill Blankenship will add the duties of quarterback coach.

As reported earlier today, co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Gus Malzahn resigned his position today to accept the offensive coordinator position at Auburn. He will continue to coach with the Hurricane through the January 6th GMAC Bowl Game.

Despite the changes, Graham says Tulsa won't miss a beat, as he ensures that the offense will maintain its explosive qualities.

"One thing is certain, our offense will remain the same as it has been in my entire head coaching career, as a no-huddle spread offense," said Graham. "We feel that we have in place one of the top offensive systems in the country, and we will not miss a beat.

"We'll look to continue our reign as one of the country's most explosive offenses."

Herb Hand has served the past two seasons as Tulsa's co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He will continue as offensive line coach and will solely handle the coordinator responsibilities.

Hand coordinated Tulsa's run game the past two years. This season, Tulsa's running game was among the nations' best. They were the top rushing team in Conference USA and ranked eighth nationally with an average of 254.8 yards per game, while Tulsa ranked second overall in total offense (565.1) and scoring offense (47.4).

"Herb has been a major contributor to our offensive success the last two years," Graham explained. "His expertise and ability to understand what we're doing is second to none, and we're happy to have him assume sole duties as offensive coordinator.

"He has a tremendous amount of experience and success working with the spread offenses both at West Virginia and Tulsa."

Bill Blankenship was Tulsa's Special Teams Coordinator this past season and will now also handle coaching the Tulsa quarterbacks. Blankenship, a former TU quarterback from 1975-79, has outstanding experience coaching the quarterback position.

"Bill's role will be elevated as an offensive coach," said Graham. "He has an incredible reputation in developing quarterbacks, and I know he will do an excellent job for us in this capacity."

Mike Norvell, who coached the Tulsa receivers this past season as a graduate assistant coach, will assume the full-time position as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. Norvell coached a group of receivers that totaled 4,033 receiving yards and 44 touchdowns this year, as six Tulsa receivers each had over 200+ yards receiving.

Before coming to Tulsa, Norvell coached the receivers and H-backs at Central Arkansas in 2006.

"Mike is one of the most talented young coaches that I have ever been associated with," said Graham. "He has a great offensive mind and has really been instrumental in the development of our young receiving corps."

[that's great raplh]

[deleted] happens