After firing defensive coordinator Todd Orlando and demoting offensive coordinator Tim Beck almost a month ago, the Longhorns have officially filled both positions. Two weeks after hiring former Rutgers Coach Chris Ash as defensive coordinator, Ohio State passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich was officially hired to fill the offensive coordinator role on Sunday evening.
Yurcich spent the last season in Columbus as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, helping the Buckeyes establish an offense that averaged 530 yards and 47 points per game. While Yurcich didn’t call plays, his influence on sophmore quarterback Justin Fields proved worthwhile. Fields threw for 3,273 yards and 41 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions this season. In the Buckeyes’ close loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday night, Fields threw for 320 yards and a touchdown.
Prior to his work under head coach Ryan Day, Yurcich spent the previous six seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma State Cowboys under Mike Gundy. During his six years in Stilllwater, Yurcich’s offenses averaged 38.0 points per game and 478.3 yards per game. This success helped the Cowboys achieve a 52-24 record with four 10-win seasons and four bowl game wins.
Yurcich will take over a Texas offense that had its share of struggles this season, but has star talent at every skill position. Prior to their matchup against Utah in the Valero Alamo Bowl, the Longhorns sit at #14 nationally in total offense. They average 35 points and 468 yards of total offense per game.
Head Coach Tom Herman will rely on Yurcich to call plays and direct an offense that likely has just one more season from starting quarterback Sam Ehlinger. After talking with colleagues in the industry and vetting several potential candidates, Herman is confident he found the right guy in Yurcich.
“I talked with a number of coaches as we tried to find the best fit at offensive coordinator, and Mike is a guy who really stood out,” Herman said. “I’ve admired his work for many years, he’s very highly regarded and respected in the coaching world, and in talking at length with him, I was extremely impressed with what he’ll bring to our staff. He knows our conference well from his time at Oklahoma State and, including the run he had with Ohio State this year, has played a big part in some of the nation’s best offenses for the past several years. All of that said, what impresses me most about him is how he works with and develops players and the creative ways he utilizes all of his weapons on offense.”
Yurcich made an annual salary of $950,000 at Ohio State. The details of his salary in his new role at Texas have not been disclosed yet, but the 20-year coaching veteran is ready to get to work in Austin.
“When looking at offensive coordinator positions, Texas is a no-brainer career move,” Yurcich said. “I’m excited to work with coach Herman and the entire staff. Having recruited the state of Texas, and having coordinated in the Big 12, I’m excited and proud to represent UT Football as its next offensive coordinator.”
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