Most of us were disappointed when we thought we had a good chance at landing Kendal Briles and Hugh Freeze as OC. It's now looking less likely that Freddie Kitchens is a possibility. Who knows what's going on with Yurcich or Sarkisian. A pessimist could easily give up all hope.
There are many very good to great offensive coordinators around the country at both the P5 level and below. These guys know that if they want to move up to a head coach job sooner rather than later, they're going to have to move around to different schools and show they know how adjust, build, and produce results with what they have. That's why I don't think it's out of the question we still get somebody like Chip Long or any other highly thought of sitting P5 OC. Having a great blue chip QB like Harrison Bailey on the horizon is attractive too.
I've mentioned North Texas' current OC Graham Harrell before. He would be a great candidate if you look at his body of work at North Texas so far. He starred at Texas Tech as a QB under none other than Coach Mike Leach. It never hurts to have his ingredients in your offense. He also played QB with the Green Bay Packers so he's seen a variety of defenses.
Here's a look at Harrell's profile at North Texas where he's been OC from 2016 thru this year. Keep in mind prior to his arrival, North Texas went 1-11 in 2015. During his first year, they improved to 5-8, went 9-5 in his second year, and 9-4 this season.
https://meangreensports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=67&path=football
In 2015 before Harrell, North Texas averaged 161.4 pass yards per game (46.7 completion percentage), averaged 158.7 rush yards per game for a combined 320.1 yards per game.
In 2016 with him: 208.3 pass ypg, 58.1 completion%, 133.5 rush ypg, 341.8 total yards per game (+21.8)
2017: 291.9 pass ypg, 63.1 completion%, 164.2 rush ypg, 456.1 total yards per game (+114.3)
2018: 306.8 pass ypg, 63.7 completion%, 153.8 rush ypg, 460.6 total yards per game (+4.5)
2017: QB Mason Fine 303 / 469 / 3793 / 27 TD's / 5 INT's
2018: QB Mason Fine 324 / 511 / 4052 / 31 TD's / 15 INT's
2017 RB Jeffery Wilson 188 / 1215 / 6.5 rush yards per carry / 16 TD's
2018 RB Deandre Torrey 175 / 977 / 5.6 rush yards per carry / 15 TD's
As you can see, he utilitzes the running game well but knows how to sling it. In addition to being an offensive coordinator, he has experience coaching QB's and WR's also. Also, North Texas isn't a school who is suddenly going to land a class full of 4 stars and a few 5 stars too. They're going to land many 2 stars and a few low 3 stars. It's all about coaching and developing at that level. You can't just throw out "he does well with better players". He's also OC in the exact same conference that Lincoln Riley was in when he first got into the OC business.
Harrell is just one example of a name we haven't heard who could be hired and be a grand slam for us. He's someone I hope Coach Pruitt takes a look at. Mack Brown nearly hired him as UNC's OC but decided to go with someone else. There are names out there we're not familiar with who could come in and get this turned around. We just have to be patient and let Coach Pruitt do his research.
There are many very good to great offensive coordinators around the country at both the P5 level and below. These guys know that if they want to move up to a head coach job sooner rather than later, they're going to have to move around to different schools and show they know how adjust, build, and produce results with what they have. That's why I don't think it's out of the question we still get somebody like Chip Long or any other highly thought of sitting P5 OC. Having a great blue chip QB like Harrison Bailey on the horizon is attractive too.
I've mentioned North Texas' current OC Graham Harrell before. He would be a great candidate if you look at his body of work at North Texas so far. He starred at Texas Tech as a QB under none other than Coach Mike Leach. It never hurts to have his ingredients in your offense. He also played QB with the Green Bay Packers so he's seen a variety of defenses.
Here's a look at Harrell's profile at North Texas where he's been OC from 2016 thru this year. Keep in mind prior to his arrival, North Texas went 1-11 in 2015. During his first year, they improved to 5-8, went 9-5 in his second year, and 9-4 this season.
https://meangreensports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=67&path=football
In 2015 before Harrell, North Texas averaged 161.4 pass yards per game (46.7 completion percentage), averaged 158.7 rush yards per game for a combined 320.1 yards per game.
In 2016 with him: 208.3 pass ypg, 58.1 completion%, 133.5 rush ypg, 341.8 total yards per game (+21.8)
2017: 291.9 pass ypg, 63.1 completion%, 164.2 rush ypg, 456.1 total yards per game (+114.3)
2018: 306.8 pass ypg, 63.7 completion%, 153.8 rush ypg, 460.6 total yards per game (+4.5)
2017: QB Mason Fine 303 / 469 / 3793 / 27 TD's / 5 INT's
2018: QB Mason Fine 324 / 511 / 4052 / 31 TD's / 15 INT's
2017 RB Jeffery Wilson 188 / 1215 / 6.5 rush yards per carry / 16 TD's
2018 RB Deandre Torrey 175 / 977 / 5.6 rush yards per carry / 15 TD's
As you can see, he utilitzes the running game well but knows how to sling it. In addition to being an offensive coordinator, he has experience coaching QB's and WR's also. Also, North Texas isn't a school who is suddenly going to land a class full of 4 stars and a few 5 stars too. They're going to land many 2 stars and a few low 3 stars. It's all about coaching and developing at that level. You can't just throw out "he does well with better players". He's also OC in the exact same conference that Lincoln Riley was in when he first got into the OC business.
Harrell is just one example of a name we haven't heard who could be hired and be a grand slam for us. He's someone I hope Coach Pruitt takes a look at. Mack Brown nearly hired him as UNC's OC but decided to go with someone else. There are names out there we're not familiar with who could come in and get this turned around. We just have to be patient and let Coach Pruitt do his research.
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