Memphis coach Mike Norvell addresses coaching changes heading into Birmingham Bowl

Memphis coach Mike Norvell reached for his phone Thursday to call his former offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham.

It was a routine call he's made many times. Except he paused and stopped, realizing that he didn't need to now that Dillingham is Auburn's offensive coordinator.

"It was a little weird after 5, 6 years," Norvell said Friday.

Norvell could be forgiven for an instinctive moment. He and Dillingham have been in constant communication since 2013 when Dillingham approached Norvell, then the offensive coordinator at Arizona State, to learn his offense.

It led to a relationship that blossomed when Norvell promoted him before this season to be one of the nation's youngest FBS offensive coordinators.

"I appreciate all the work that he gave to this program and selfishly what he did for me," Norvell said. "He's somebody that I care deeply about and it's been fun watching his progression coming in as a quality control coach to a graduate assistant to a position coach and coordinator."

Norvell stays but coordinators leave

Norvell announced this week on Twitter that he will return for a fourth season at Memphis — but he's in the rare situation of having to replace not just one, but both coordinators.

Defensive coordinator Chris Ball was introduced this week as Northern Arizona's next head coach. Ball will continue coaching at Memphis through the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 22, while Dillingham leaves to begin working with Auburn.

"For Chris to go to one of the best FCS schools in the country to be their head coach— it's something that he's aspired to do for a long time," Norvell said. "I'm just glad he could achieve that and we can be a small part of that journey for him.

Although the Tigers also lost tight ends coach Will Hall, who become Tulane's offensive coordinator, it has not affected Memphis much in recruiting.

Three-star running back Jarod Conner, whom Hall helped recruit, flipped his commitment from Memphis to Ole Miss last week, but the Tigers are still expected to sign most of their 16-person recruiting class Wednesday when the early signing period begins.

Birmingham Bowl coaching moves

Norvell also said he's been receiving calls around the country for his vacant coordinator positions. Heading into the Birmingham Bowl, he will assume coaching quarterbacks in addition to him already calling plays over the last two seasons.

He added that graduate assistant Tony Tokarz, who was named interim tight ends coach for the bowl game, has been formally hired as an offensive assistant. His role will be determined after the season.

Tokarz spent two seasons as a graduate assistant under previous Memphis coach Justin Fuente, before leaving to become quarterbacks coach/pass game and recruiting coordinator at Stonehill College. He returned to Memphis last season and assisted Dillingham with coaching tight ends.

"He's very passionate in pouring everything he has into the players, helping them grow on and off the field," Norvell said. "He's going to bring great value to our staff and I know it's going to be a great fit."

Indoor practice facility construction update

Prior to practice Friday, the entire Memphis football team and coaching staff signed the last steel beam that was a part of Phase I of construction for the indoor practice facility project.

The beam was then raised atop the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex, which has been undergoing renovations since the summer. 

Phase I of the project includes new coaches and operation offices, a new training facility, player dining and study areas; as well as new water therapy and work spaces.

Memphis President Dr. David Rudd posted on Twitter Thursday that Phase II of the project, which includes the actual indoor facility, was just approved in Nashville by the State Building Commission.

While Phase I has a target completion date for August, the start of Phase II has yet to be announced.

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