Merritt James "Jay" Norvell III, born on March 28, 1963, is an American college football coach and former player. He has made significant contributions to the sport, both on and off the field. This article delves into his background, coaching career, and his perspectives on important social issues.
Jay Norvell, Head Football Coach. Source: Wikipedia
Background and Origins
The surname Norvell has its origins in England, first appearing in records during the 16th century. According to YourRoots data, the Norvell surname has a strong presence in the United Kingdom since the early 10th century. It expanded globally between the 10th and 15th centuries, reaching countries like France. By the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname had spread extensively worldwide, establishing itself firmly in the United States. Today, YourRoots records show the Norvell surname in various countries, highlighting its widespread global distribution.
Family and Personal Life
Norvell's father, Merritt, married his mother, Cynthia, who was a model, on July 4, 1962. Norvell has one brother, Aaron. His mother died at 79 after a battle with cancer. Norvell’s younger brother Aaron had a long acting career in TV and film, often playing a police officer, firefighter, military member or guard. Aaron spent time on both “Days of Our Lives” and “General Hospital” playing a cop.
“She’s the most important person in my life,” Norvell said of his wife, who battles cystic fibrosis. His wife and son, Jaden, weren’t able to attend the press conference, but will be checking out Fort Collins soon enough.
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Coaching Career
Norvell's coaching career began at his alma mater Iowa in 1986 when Norvell took a job as a graduate assistant. From 1988 to 2001, Norvell served as an assistant coach for multiple positions at Northern Iowa, Wisconsin, and Iowa State. Norvell briefly spent time in the NFL as an assistant coach from 2002 to 2003 with the Indianapolis Colts and Oakland Raiders before returning to college football at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to take his first ever offensive coordinator job in 2004.
In 2017, Norvell was named head coach for the Nevada football program. He also led Nevada quarterback Carson Strong to back-to-back Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year awards in 2020 and 2021. On December 6, 2021, Colorado State hired Norvell to be their 24th head coach. Norvell's pass-heavy offensive style came as a stark contrast to previous head coach Steve Addazio's run-heavy smashmouth offense.
Here's a summary of his head coaching positions:
| Team | Years | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 2017-2021 | 33-26 |
| Colorado State | 2022-2025 | 18-26 |
Inside The Headset With Wide Receivers Coach, Offensive Passing Coordinator Jay Norvell
Colorado State University Tenure
On December 6, 2021, Colorado State hired Norvell to be their 24th head coach. Norvell was expected to spark a turnaround in Fort Collins, but finishes with a record that fell short of expectations. Colorado State fired head football coach Jay Norvell Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. Norvell’s coaching record at CSU was 18-26.
“While we’ve seen progress, a change in leadership is necessary to achieve the sustained excellence our program requires. “Tyson has a strong track record as a successful coach, and we’re fortunate to have him here in Fort Collins,” Director of Athletics John Weber said. “We need to position our program to compete at the highest level,” Weber said.
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Norvell was hired in December 2021 after leading Nevada to four bowl appearances in five years. His time in charge was defined by turnover and change. Norvell brought much of his Wolf Pack staff and roster with him through the transfer portal, reshaping the team quickly.
Views on Social Issues and Racism
Nevada football head coach Jay Norvell, an African American, released a personal statement Monday regarding the murder of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, racism and what it means to be being black in the United States of America. As a black man I have seen more than five decades of racism - nearly my entire life. The recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, as appalling and cowardly as they are, are not new events to the black community.
“My father chose to accept a scholarship for football at Wisconsin in 1959 because they were one of the only schools that were playing black quarterbacks at the time. The stories of my mother not being able to use the bathroom when they were traveling as a young kid because she was ‘Colored’. It wasn’t until April 8th 1864 over 200 years of slavery later that the 13th Amendment was passed to the United States Constitution that abolished slavery. It wasn’t until 1870 that Congress passed the 15th Amendment that stated voting rights could not be ‘denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.’ Since that time, racism has tormented Black Americans in almost every conceivable way, that are too long to list in this document. Every Black American has witnessed the pain it’s caused to our family members throughout the history of our families and our community.
He's the first African American head coach at CSU. "It really is an honor and something I take really seriously," Norvell said. "There hasn't been many African-American head coaches in college or professional football. We want to do well and give other guys an opportunity to get the same chance to be a head coach."
Jay Norvell at his introductory press conference at CSU. Source: heraldbulletin.com
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Other Notable Figures Named Norvell
- Mike Norvell: The head football coach for Florida State since 2020, known for his successful coaching career at Memphis and other universities.
- Hugh Norvell: A Virginia planter, soldier, and politician known for his contributions during King William's War and the founding of Williamsburg.
- David L. Norvell: An American lawyer and politician who served as the attorney general of New Mexico from 1971 to 1975.
