USC is pursuing a big change to their offense, and they may be willing to give Graham Harrell lots of power to transform it.
The Trojans have talked with Harrell about becoming their new offensive coordinator, replacing Kliff Kingsbury, who held the position for around a month before becoming the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach.
Los Angeles Times USC reporter Brady McCollough talked with Harrell’s father, who said the sides are working on a deal. Harrell’s father said USC head coach Clay Helton would give the former Texas Tech quarterback full control of play calling and installation of his system.
Today USC interviewed North Texas offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, another former Texas Tech QB and "Air Raid" disciple, for the OC/QB opening vacated by Kliff Kingsbury. Harrell's father, Sam, told the Times there is not a deal in place, but it's in the "working stages."
— Brady McCollough (@BradyMcCollough) January 28, 2019
Sam Harrell said his understanding of Graham's conversations with Clay Helton is that Harrell would have full control of play calling and implementing his system. He said Helton feels USC has gotten too "a little bit of this, a little bit of that," and Helton wants simplicity.
— Brady McCollough (@BradyMcCollough) January 28, 2019
Harrell, like Kingsbury, was a quarterback for Mike Leach at Texas Tech from 2006-2008. A multiple NCAA record holder, Harrell has been an assistant coach under Seth Littrell at North Texas since 2016, serving as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.
USC has made it clear that they are looking to implement the Air Raid passing offense. They’re coming off a 5-7 season that had fans calling for Helton’s job.
