If you can't keep your former Texas Tech quarterback-turned-Air Raid disciple as offensive coordinator, why not go hire another one?
That's the situation USC finds itself in, as Adam Maya of Trojan Sports reports that Graham Harrell is a "done deal" to become the Trojans' new offensive coordinator. Harrell is currently the offensive coordinator at North Texas. Harrell's father, Sam, confirmed to the Los Angeles Timeson Sunday night that the two sides were in negotiations.
He, of course, replaces Kliff Kingsbury, who left his job as USC's offensive coordinator to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
While working alongside Seth Littrell, Harrell has transformed the Mean Green offense in his three seasons in Denton. UNT leaped from 118th nationally in total offense in 2015 -- the year prior to Harrell's arrival -- to 20th in 2018. North Texas also went from 124th to 26th in scoring, 119th to 30th in yards per play and 115th to 12th in passing offense.
Mean Green quarterback Mason Fine is on pace to shatter every North Texas passing and total offense record in the book.
With the hire, Clay Helton accomplishes the same objective -- albeit with a less sexy name -- in the Kingsbury hire, by importing the Air Raid offense to utilize the ample skill position talent on the USC roster and in Southern California as a whole.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Update: Bruce Feldman says no deal is in place at this time.
https://twitter.com/brucefeldmancfb/status/1089945061951819776?s=21
Monday night update> The locals are reporting the deal is done. Bruce now agrees with them. This is happening friends....