There are plenty of former Green Bay Packers that have transitioned to coaching after their playing careers were over. Notably, Doug Pederson led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl as their head coach. Other coaches that played for the Packers include Edgar Bennett, Forrest Gregg, Bart Starr, and many, many others. One former Packers quarterback that often gets forgotten is Graham Harrell. Since retiring from the NFL, Harrell has become one of the most sought-after offensive coordinators in college football. Last night, Adam Rittenberg of ESPN reported that Harrell was being hired as the new offensive coordinator at Purdue:
Source: #Purdue is set to hire Graham Harrell as its offensive coordinator, under new coach Ryan Walters. Harrell spent this season as #WestVirginia's OC after a three-year run in the same role at #USC.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 16, 2022
As noted in the Tweet above, Harrell previously was the offensive coordinator at USC before spending the past three seasons at West Virginia. The move to Purdue, of course, means that the Wisconsin Badgers may have to deal with a high-octane offense next season.
It is truly a great hire for Purdue. Head coach Ryan Walters is more of a defensive-minded coach. Adding Harrell to his staff is a home run for that program.
Graham Harrell Was an Exciting College Quarterback
Back when he was playing college football himself, Graham Harrell was one heck of a prospect. In 2008, his senior season at Texas Tech, he threw for 5,111 yards with a completion percentage of 70.6%. Harrell had 45 touchdown passes that year against just nine interceptions. He came in fourth in the Heisman voting that season.
The previous year, 2007, he threw for 5,705 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
Despite all the stats, he was not drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft. He signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 20, 2010 and spent three seasons backing up Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay released him in August of 2013.
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