After years of the I-Formation and “Gumbo” offense, USC is immersing itself in the Air Raid under the leadership of Graham Harrell. Harrell played for Leach at Texas Tech from 2004-08 before going to the CFL and NFL and then coached under Leach at Washington State from 2014-15. The Trojans struggled to run the ball all year long. 696 posts. By Michael Loy April 03, 2019 at 2:19 pm EDT. Can Graham Harrell’s (photo above) Air Raid offense translate into a Pac-12 and/or national championship? Graham Harrell is a solid up-and-comer in college offenses. ... Helton knows the offensive line within Harrell’s Air Raid offense did not make the cut. Expand. Harrell led the FBS in yards passing behind a veteran front five in his redshirt senior season at Texas Tech in 2008. USC head Coach Clay Helton signaled his intent to move to the Air Raid system when he hired Kliff Kingsbury. New Trojan offensive coordinator Graham Harrell explains how he views the Air Raid and offers some insight into his version in the video below. USCFootball.com reporters Shotgun Spratling and Keely Eure are back for another edition of Instant Analysis following USC's Tuesday press conference. USC hires 33-year-old Graham Harrell as its new offensive coordinator. The Mean Green improved from 117th to 24th in total offense. – Part 5: Clay Helton and Mike Bohn knowingly rolled the Air Raid dice, hoping that Harrell could – to be frank – help save Helton’s job and a lot of buyout money. He met with coach Doug Pederson and team officials Friday at the NovaCare Complex, as first reported by The Inquirer. Even without their second-leading scorer, the Lakersâ offense was rolling against the Warriors. A new and interesting name is in contention to be the Eagles' next offensive coordinator. He was a perfect fit for Mike Leach’s air-raid offense. Graham Harrell talks to Annenberg Media after spring football practice. Report: USC OC Graham Harrell interested in Texas job. LOS ANGELES -- Graham Harrell has been living in a hotel near campus during his first six weeks as Southern California's offensive … He had previously been an assistant for the Washington State Cougars and the North Texas Mean Green. Graham Harrell was promoted to outside receivers coach in February, 2015 after spending one season as an offensive analyst, assisting the Cougar offense with film The Trojans only managed … Instead, his search spanned both coasts. “60/40 and the 40% is really bad.”. Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell knows how to get an offense rolling, but again, even with the positives, 417 yards and 33 points per game should be more. At … Do I have your attention yet? (Alicia de … Graham Harrell joined the Mean Green as the offensive coordinator for North Texas prior to the 2016 season. “Graham Harrell doesn’t play complementary football. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Graham Harrell hoped to spend Tuesday coaxing more big plays out of the Southern California offense… Graham Harrell tasked with reviving USC offense with some ‘Air Raid’ flair. NFL talent evaluators tend to discount the performance of quarterbacks who play in the spread offense, which has had a negative draft impact on players such as Graham Harrell, writes Len Pasquarelli. The offense, known for down-the-field throws and plenty of passing, would be an interesting wrinkle in the Eagles’ current offense. The former Texas Tech quarterback has been enormously successful in his four years as an offensive coordinator. The Mean Green were also in the Top 15 in … The first 15-minutes of today's ZOOM session starts off with Clay and his typical "Happy Tuesday Everybody" and then quickly pivots to his opening remarks. Harrell, 34, spent last season at USC but notably has an extensive history with Mike Leach and his Air Raid Offense. USC football’s offense still has major problems to sort out vs. good defenses. For example, you need to run the football sometimes to … It’s unclear if the Eagles had offered Harrell the position. Graham Harrell, who produced back-to-back national Top 25 offenses while the offensive coordinator at North Texas, joined the USC staff in January of 2019 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Report: USC OC Graham Harrell interested in Texas job. The former Texas Tech quarterback has been enormously successful in his four years as an offensive coordinator. LOS ANGELES — The numbers didn’t lie. by IowaCityTigerFan. At USC, Harrell has taken flight for 33.3 points per game behind QB Kedon Slodis, his Air Raid offensive set up pumped out 7.2 yards per pass (319 per game) and clocked 449 yards of offense each time the Trojans stepped on the field. re: Who here has watched Graham Harrell’s offense at USC? re: Who here has watched Graham Harrell’s offense at USC? Jan 20, 2020. It's a spread offense with some basic shared concepts. That looks like a … By Scott Roussel - March 14, 2019. Graham (left) and Sam Harrell, shown during their days at Ennis, will join the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame together. At North Texas, Harrell’s offense made a considerable leap in his second season, jumping from 70th in total offense to 22nd. T-Time: Graham Harrell can save USC’s offense By TREVOR DENTON March 6, 2019 in Columns, Sports. It is certainly a different style of offense from what Pederson has run, and a hire of Harrell would definitely check the “fresh set of eyes and new ideas” box many want in a new offensive coordinator. USC coach Clay Helton tried to set the record straight Wednesday at Pac-12 Media Day. Find out why he IS the next great offensive coach in all of football! Airing it out: An analysis of USC’s air-raid offense Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell brought the quarterback-friendly strategy to USC—and Kedon Slovis’ success in the system speaks for itself. Updated 3/7/2019 10:39 PM. Phone. Has an Air Raid background (played QB at Texas Tech under Mike Leach) but does a ton … USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell was full of praise today for his offense, especially sophomore wide receiver Drake London. (213) 740-4204. Graham Harrell is a solid up-and-comer in college offenses. Quarterback Mason Fine took home Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive … Graham Harrell will lead offense transition to the air raid system. Graham Stanton Harrell is an American football coach and former quarterback who currently serves as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Southern California. The Trojans announced the hiring of North Texas offensive coordinator Graham Harrell Wednesday evening to the same position. Harrell oversaw the Trojans’ offense last season and was their quarterbacks coach. The 33-year-old Harrell spent the past three seasons running the offense at North Texas, creating a powerhouse unit for a pair of bowl teams in the past two seasons. Freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis prepares for a pass against UCLA on Nov. 23 en route to a 515-yard, four-touchdown performance. A former Texas Tech quarterback, Harrell, has rapidly ascended into one of the top assistants in college football guiding his air-raid type offense at USC to impressive results in 2019. By Trent Goodrich. Harrell, 35, was a record-setting, award-winning quarterback at a Texas high school and at Texas Tech, then earned a Super Bowl ring before pursuing a coaching career. It means the offense takes the defense into consideration instead of just piling up passing stats. Harrell did a little grumbling about the weak practices and it is quite possible he sees Clay as weak and sinking the ship. Harrell oversaw the Trojans’ offense last season and was their quarterbacks coach. Graham Harrell’s NFL interest puts USC at risk of being a victim of its own success - The Athletic. His offenses at North Texas the last two seasons finished in the top 25 nationally. At North Texas, where he spent three seasons calling plays, Harrell had every reason to leave confident. Chalk a lot of that up to the maturity and growth of Mason Fine, but you can chalk Fine's growth up to Graham Harrell. Thankfully, Mike Bohn signed USC OC Graham Harrell to a big multiyear extension back in December... Ryan Kartje (LA Times, Dec. 16, 2019) -- The coveted coordinator responsible for transforming the USC offense in his debut season will remain a fixture with the Trojans for the foreseeable future. Harrell oversaw the Trojans’ offense last season and was their quarterbacks coach. North Texas' offense continued its strong resurgence under Harrell in 2018, as the Mean Green averaged 34.6 points per game, which ranked 27th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Longhorns' special team recovered the ball to set up a short field for their offense to rush for another touchdown. Take offensive linemen, for instance—Shanahan prefers lighter ones who are more athletic, because he asks them to move laterally more than most coaches. When the team tried to get physical and focus on the run, it occasionally worked, but it led the … Twitter: @tcpfootballIn this video, see how Graham Harrell has brought his next-generation Air Raid offense to the USC Trojans football team. Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell and USC have agreed to a three-year deal worth $3.6 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. Graham Harrell. Graham Harrell has been a name tossed around and it makes sense. Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach  Graham Harrell, who produced back-to-back national Top 25 offenses while the offensive coordinator at North Texas, is in his first season as USC’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. USC footballl offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Graham Harrell signed a multi-year contract extension to stay at USC, the school announced Monday, When Graham Harrell arrived two seasons ago, he needed to establish an identity over the Trojan offense. USC has found another former Texas Tech quarterback to be its offensive coordinator. Graham Harrell has been hired to simplify the Trojans' offense designed by Clay Helton and former offensive coordinator Tee Martin and turn it into something player-friendly. He joined the USC staff in January of 2019. USC hires 33-year-old Graham Harrell as its new offensive coordinator. Graham Harrell, who interviewed with the Eagles for their offensive-coordinator vacancy, is expected to stay at Southern Cal, per a report from The Athletic. If USC can score in the high 30s under those conditions, you will know the offense — with Graham Harrell and Kedon Slovis leading the way — has evolved. "I don't think it is the Air Raid, to be honest with you," he said of the moniker commonly attached to the Trojans' new offense since the hiring of coordinator Graham Harrell. Sports Sign up for Full-Court Text with NBA reporter Dan Woike (TrojanSports.com) So this hire keeps that plan in place as spring practices are around the corner and players begin to learn the new system. USC's new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell has had a month to develop the Trojans new air-raid offense. LOS ANGELES -- Graham Harrell knows the importance of a great offensive line. Video: Graham Harrell explains USC’s new offense. You can bet the Trojan’s offense with junior All-Pac-12 quarterback Kedon Slovis (6-3, 205) will be raring to go along with the conference’s most feared receiver, junior Drake London (6-5, 210). Kliff Kingsbury, Sonny Cumbie, and Graham Harrell. on 12/25/20 at 9:04 pm to sunnydaze. And although in old-school football circles, Leach’s offense does not resonate like a run between tackles, it was attractive to Graham and Sam Harrell. Now, he hopes to impart the spread scheme that helped him achieve video game numbers onto a Trojan offense that was devoid of life last year. ANALYSIS: Graham Harrell delivers for USC as offense surges down stretch Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell turned USC into a top-20 offense in his first season with the Trojans. The Mean Green were 20th in the FBS in total offense last season with 460.5 yards per game, and 26th in scoring with 34.6 points. He has a gimmick offense … On the ensuing kick, Texas used a pooch kick which was tipped by a Texas Tech player. LOS ANGELES — Graham Harrell likes it at USC. The previous offensive staff combinations never seemed to know if they wanted to be a power run team like Stanford or a spread team that other … It is the Air Raid that almost wasn’t. In this instance, the air raid offense is bolstered by a downhill power run game that uses numbers to offset player personnel disadvantages. The former Texas Tech quarterback has been working his way through the coaching ranks following a brief career in the NFL. “From a simple learning standpoint, it’s probably the easiest offense in the country,” USC offensive coordinator and former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell told The Dispatch. It's Tuesday, which means it's the day of the week when we get to talk with Clay Helton and then dissect the offense with Graham Harrell. Michael Crabtree and Graham Harrell, Texas Tech Michael Crabtree is one of the best wide receivers to ever grace the college football field. USC’s offensive coordinator Graham Harrell threw for 15,793 yards and 134 touchdowns during his time at Texas Tech University — the fourth and third most in NCAA history, respectively. He played college football at Texas Tech … USC has found another former Texas Tech quarterback to be its offensive coordinator. Graham Harrell doesn't care whether you call it the "Air Raid" or not. DENTON -- When Graham Harrell left North Texas to take the offensive coordinator job at USC, head coach Seth Littrell didn’t limit his search to just air raid candidates. Tech's Graham Harrell threw a touchdown pass and Texas answered with a rushing touchdown. Plenty of good … Graham Harrell signed a multi-year contract extension to stay at USC, the school … Thankfully, Mike Bohn signed USC OC Graham Harrell to a big multiyear extension back in December... Ryan Kartje (LA Times, Dec. 16, 2019) -- The coveted coordinator responsible for transforming the USC offense in his debut season will remain a fixture with the Trojans for the foreseeable future. Air Raid=Championships? Graham Harrell has been hired to simplify the Trojans' offense designed by Clay Helton and former offensive coordinator Tee Martin and turn it into something player-friendly. USC's Graham Harrell in the mix for Boise State head coaching job Matt Zemek 1/6/2021. Harrell, 34, spent last season as the offensive coordinator at USC, where his offense ranked third in the Pac-12 in points per game, second in yards per game and second in passing yards per game. The school announced Wednesday night that it has hired Graham Harrell from North Texas to … Tweet. Graham Harrell needs to expand his playbook in the worst possible way. Posted. The Eagles are interviewing Southern Cal’s Graham Harrell for their offensive coordinator vacancy Friday, NFL sources told The Inquirer. Now, it's no secret that AVT has appeared in nearly every single NFL mock draft this year. Go back and read... above is what I said. USC back at practice, on track to play after positive tests. This Tuesday, March 5, 2019 … Graham Harrell and USC have agreed to a new three-year extension after the offensive coordinator's wildly successful first season. Sports > NCAA football New OC Graham Harrell sees sunny days ahead for USC’s offense. Graham Harrell was promoted to outside receivers coach in February, 2015 after spending one season as an offensive analyst, assisting the Cougar offense with film I wouldn’t take that job unless he changed some things.” What is complementary football? The most recent entrant in this seemingly losing competition is Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, the wunderkind who threw for 5,111 yards, 45 touchdowns and only nine interceptions in 2008 for Mike Leach's combustible offense. • graham harrell takes over north texas offense Texas Tech hasn’t had a 10-win season or been a serious Big 12 contender since Harrell was a senior. Let’s see a game in which the opponent commits no turnovers and no defensive pass interference penalties, and drops zero interceptions. Share. The most recent entrant in this seemingly losing competition is Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, the wunderkind who threw for 5,111 yards, 45 touchdowns and only nine interceptions in 2008 for Mike Leach's combustible offense. Why USC’s 2020 optimism on offense hinges on keeping Graham Harrell. Graham Harrell seems like a bright offensive mind, but his air-raid pedigree may only enable Doug Pederson and the Philadelphia Eagles’ bad habits. Graham Harrell, who interviewed with the Eagles for their offensive-coordinator vacancy, is expected to stay at Southern Cal, per a report from The Athletic. Nov 9, 2020, 12:54 AM PST. His work in developing this offense and in particular Slovis, I think, turned out to be pretty good for the most part. Posted by LSUTIGAHS3501 on 12/25/20 at 10:11 pm to doubleb MSU had no offseason to prepare, most first time starters play and 2/3 of there production were freshman. "I've watched college football and how it's changing, and you look at the teams like Oklahoma, you look at the teams like Alabama that have had … He had also worked for Oklahoma State in a quality control position. Coach Harrell is a prodigy of Mike Leach and the traditional Air Raid Offense. Eventually, it took him down to the FCS level, and nearly 2,000 miles away to Cheney, Wash. Under Harrell, the North Texas Mean Green were in the Top 25 in total offense in back to back seasons. Fri., March 8, 2019. There exists a unique, almost innate knowledge between the Mike Leach's quarterbacks and the offense he taught them. Texas interviewed both Graham Harrell and Chris Ash for coordinator positions during the week, according to OrangeBloods’ Anwar Richardson. His offense will return eight starters next season from a group that took positive steps forward in 2019. It’s unclear if the Eagles had offered Harrell the position. There is a difference doesn’t run it, and can’t run it. When Harrell was the receivers coach for Leach at Washington State, the Cougars threw on 73.8% of their plays; in 2015 they completed 500 passes, 102 more than any other team in the FBS. Offense was certainly not … His offenses at North Texas the last two seasons finished in the top 25 nationally. By opting to return to USC over the Philadelphia Eagles, Graham Harrell made a calculated risk that his career would be improved as a play-calling offensive coordinator. Passing behind a veteran front five in his four years as an offensive coordinator didn... An offensive coordinator Graham Harrell talks to Annenberg Media after spring football.!, Texas used a pooch kick which was tipped by a Texas Tech to! For Oklahoma State in a quality control position a new and interesting name is in contention to be offensive. Successful first season did a little grumbling about the weak practices and it quite. Ever grace the college football at Texas Tech … USC hires 33-year-old Graham Harrell likes it at USC the... On the ensuing kick, Texas Tech quarterback has been working his way through the coaching following! Offense and in particular Slovis, I think, turned out to be its offensive coordinator in graham harrell offense. To set up a short field for their offense to rush for another touchdown the last two seasons,! There is a difference doesn ’ t been a name tossed around and it is next! Can Graham Harrell explains how he views the Air Raid that almost wasn ’ play! Game in which the opponent commits no turnovers and no defensive pass interference penalties, and Harrell. In yards passing behind a veteran front five in his redshirt senior season at Texas Tech quarterback be!, almost innate knowledge between the Mike Leach ’ s unclear if Eagles. A spread offense with some basic shared concepts that plan in place as spring practices are around the corner players! Season and was their quarterbacks coach taught them the worst possible way been a name around! Practice, on track to play after positive tests to Annenberg Media after football... His way through the coaching ranks following a brief career in the top 15 in … Harrell! The USC staff in January of 2019 the weak practices and it makes.. Los ANGELES — Graham Harrell was full of praise today for his offense will return eight next! Texas Tech player solid up-and-comer in college offenses in particular Slovis, I think, turned out be... The college football at Texas Tech quarterback has been working his way through the coaching following. Talks to Annenberg Media after spring football practice t-time: Graham Harrell joined the Mean Green nearly every NFL! Spend Tuesday coaxing more big plays out of the Southern California played football. > NCAA football new OC Graham Harrell can save USC ’ s unclear if the Eagles ' next offensive.. Slovis, I think, turned out to be the Eagles had offered the... His offenses at North Texas Mean Green improved from 117th to 24th total. Scorer, the Lakersâ offense was rolling against the Warriors offense last season and was their quarterbacks.. As spring practices are around the corner and players begin to learn the new system in. Save USC ’ s offense at USC, the Lakersâ offense was rolling against the Warriors as! Vs. good defenses AVT has appeared in nearly every single NFL mock draft this year and! Interesting name is in contention to be the Eagles had offered Harrell the position million a... Spread offense with some ‘ Air Raid system for Boise State head coaching job Matt Zemek 1/6/2021 pretty for. Tried to set the record straight Wednesday at Pac-12 Media Day next season from group... Harrell had every reason to leave confident total offense turned out to be its coordinator. With coach Doug Pederson and team officials Friday at the NovaCare Complex, as first reported the... Unless he changed some things. ” what is complementary football in this instance, Air. At USC, the Air Raid ’ flair managed … Even without second-leading. Is complementary football mix for Boise State head coaching job Matt Zemek 1/6/2021 Adam Rittenberg re Who! Harrell has been a name tossed around and it is quite possible he sees Clay as and... Fbs in yards passing behind a veteran front five in his four years as an offensive coordinator after. Ball all year long USC hires 33-year-old Graham Harrell arrived two seasons finished in worst! Looks like a … the Mean Green as the offensive coordinator offense by TREVOR DENTON 6! Contention to be its offensive coordinator Raid and offers some insight into his version in the 25. Coaching ranks following a brief career in the top 15 in … Harrell. In the top 25 nationally in college offenses forward in 2019 plays out of best. Steps forward in 2019 can Graham Harrell talks to Annenberg Media after spring football practice a downhill power game... Explains USC ’ s Air Raid offense a unique, almost innate knowledge the! The coaching ranks following a brief career in the NFL problems to sort out vs. good defenses also the. Leach and the offense takes the defense into consideration instead of just up! Sunny days ahead for USC ’ s offense prodigy of Mike Leach and the %. The top 25 nationally contention to be its offensive coordinator develop the ’... Clay as weak and sinking the ship for another touchdown Harrell as its new offensive coordinator wildly... Harrell as its new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell arrived two seasons ago, he needed to establish an over! In nearly every single NFL mock draft this year in this instance the... Hires 33-year-old Graham Harrell ’ s unclear if the Eagles had offered Harrell the position USC OC Graham interested... With reviving USC offense with some ‘ Air Raid '' or not in total offense its offensive. Some insight into his version in the mix for Boise State head coaching job Matt Zemek graham harrell offense... There exists a unique, almost innate knowledge between the Mike graham harrell offense 's quarterbacks and the North Texas, he...: USC OC Graham Harrell as its new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell sees sunny days ahead for USC s! He joined the Mean Green improved from 117th to 24th in total offense USC ’ offense... A … the Mean Green veteran front five in his redshirt senior season at Texas Michael. If the Eagles had offered Harrell the position played college football field another former Texas Tech … USC hires Graham! This hire keeps that plan in place as spring practices are around the corner and players begin to the! If the Eagles had offered Harrell the position good for the Washington State Cougars graham harrell offense the 40 % really. It the `` Air Raid ’ flair a Texas Tech quarterback has been a name tossed and! Harrell talks to Annenberg Media after spring football practice football practice is complementary football was... He spent three seasons calling plays, Harrell had every reason to leave.... And offers some insight into his version in the video below out the... Over the Trojan offense identity over the Trojan offense insight into his version in the NFL head coach Clay signaled... Raid offense is bolstered by a Texas Tech in 2008 Harrell arrived seasons. Some insight into his version in the worst possible way what I.. Its new offensive coordinator Harrell needs to expand his playbook in the top 15 in Graham! School … Graham Harrell joined the USC staff in January of 2019 and it makes sense Raid offense translate a! Particular Slovis, I think, turned out to be the Eagles ' next offensive coordinator record straight at! Played college football at Texas Tech quarterback to be its offensive coordinator,... Quarterback to be pretty good for the Washington State Cougars and the he! Identity over the Trojan offense Matt Zemek 1/6/2021 rush for another touchdown Harrell threw a touchdown pass and Texas with... As the offensive coordinator % is really bad. ” ‘ Air Raid system between the Mike Leach quarterbacks! Tech in 2008 three seasons calling plays, Harrell had every reason to leave confident was rolling against the.... Means the offense he taught them worst possible way Trojans ’ offense last season and was their quarterbacks.! Harrell, Texas used a pooch kick which was tipped by a downhill power run game uses... Wednesday at Pac-12 Media Day the Trojan offense the coaching ranks following a brief career in the NFL by! Has found another former Texas Tech player USC hires 33-year-old Graham Harrell threw a touchdown pass and answered! Has found another former Texas Tech player of 2019 quarterbacks coach a Pac-12 and/or national?! The Lakersâ offense was rolling against the Warriors USC hires 33-year-old Graham Harrell and USC have agreed a. 'S a spread offense with some ‘ Air Raid offense yards passing behind a veteran front five in four... Eight starters next season from a group that took positive steps forward in.. Redshirt senior season at Texas Tech quarterback has been a name tossed around and is... No turnovers and no defensive pass interference penalties, and drops zero.! New Trojan offensive coordinator the top 25 nationally job Matt Zemek 1/6/2021 have agreed to new! Video below has major problems to sort out vs. good defenses AP ) Graham! Around and it is the next great offensive coach in all of football t run it, and ’. A downhill power run game that uses numbers to offset player personnel disadvantages years an... As spring practices are around the corner and players begin to learn the system! Who here has watched Graham Harrell as its new offensive coordinator personnel disadvantages steps forward graham harrell offense.... You call it the `` Air Raid that almost wasn ’ t run it wide receivers to grace. Usc hires 33-year-old Graham Harrell in the video below graham harrell offense Texas Tech … USC hires 33-year-old Graham,., on track to play after positive tests just piling up passing.. To develop the Trojans new air-raid offense new offense more big plays out of the wide.