Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Bringing a play to life

When OU takes on Florida tomorrow night in the BCS title game, Jay Norvell will be on the Sooners' sideline.

He's been the receivers coach for the Indianapolis Colts and was the tight ends coach for the Raiders when they reached Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003.

In 2005, at Nebraska, Coach Norvell (shown here at Nebraksa) helped first-year Huskers quarterback Zac Taylor set seven Nebraska passing records.

Now he's in charge of the passing game at Oklahoma, working closely with Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.

According to Taylor (now a coach at Texas A&M), it's Coach Norvell's ability to communicate that sets him apart from other offensive coaches:

"When he installs an offense, he paints a picture with what he’s saying. You can install a play, but to a player, it’s just a piece of paper with a bunch of lines on it. He brings the play to life."