 Harrell with theGreen Bay Packers in 2011 | |||||||||
| Abilene Christian Wildcats | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (1985-05-22)May 22, 1985 (age 40) Brownwood, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight | 217 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Ennis (Ennis, Texas) | ||||||||
| College | Texas Tech (2004–2008) | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 2009: undrafted | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
Playing | |||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
Coaching | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Graham Stanton Harrell (born May 22, 1985) is an Americanfootball coach and formerquarterback. He is currently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for theAbilene Christian Wildcats. He playedcollege football for theTexas Tech Red Raiders from 2004 to 2008 and was inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Fame in 2025.[2]
He played in theCanadian Football League (CFL) and theNational Football League (NFL) from 2009 to 2013, with his longest tenure as a player with theGreen Bay Packers. He previously served as the offensive coordinator of theNorth Texas Mean Green (2016–2018),USC Trojans (2019–2021),West Virginia Mountaineers (2022), and thePurdue Boilermakers (2023-24).
Harrell was born inBrownwood, Texas. He attended high school inEnnis, Texas. After high school graduation, he enrolled atTexas Tech University and played quarterback for the Red Raiders, starting for three seasons. As a fifth-senior in 2008, he was named a first-teamAll-American quarterback,Heisman Trophy finalist in 2008, and setschool, conference and national records for passing yards, attempts, completions, and touchdown passes.
After going undrafted in the2009 NFL draft, he was signed by theSaskatchewan Roughriders of theCanadian Football League in 2009. He was signed into the NFL in 2010 by the Green Bay Packers, where he was a part of theSuper Bowl XLV win with the Packers over thePittsburgh Steelers. He was also a member of theNew York Jets.
Harrell was born to Sam and Kathy Harrell inBrownwood, Texas, where his father was an assistant under legendary Texas high school football coachGordon Wood. His father was hired as head coach atEnnis High School inEnnis, Texas. Harrell played at EHS under his father's coaching. He was the starting quarterback for three seasons and led the Ennis Lions to a stateClass 4A title as a sophomore in 2001. He also played in the 2004Oil Bowl, receiving the offensive MVP award.[3] Harrell set Texas high school records in these categories:[4]
In addition, Harrell ranks second in career pass completions (805 from 2000 to 2003).
In 2004, Harrellredshirted his first season atTexas Tech.[9] The following season, he served as the backup quarterback behind another Texas Tech record setter,Cody Hodges, who led college football in passing yards in 2005.
Harrell started in every game of the 2006 season, beating out classmateChris Todd. Harrell got the Raiders off to a quick start with wins overSouthern Methodist University,The University of Texas at El Paso,Southeastern Louisiana University and conference rivalTexas A&M. The lone Red Raider loss was toTexas Christian University, 12–3 in the third game of the season. Despite the 4–1 start, Harrell was benched halfway through the next game due to poor play after the Raiders fell behind theMissouri Tigers 24–0, and Todd was inserted for two series. Harrell came back into the game and got the Raiders within 3 points before the half but struggled in the second half as Tech lost 38–21. The next week against a winlessColorado team that Tech was heavily favored to beat, Harrell once again was benched in favor of Todd for a 4 interception game resulting in a 30–6 loss. However, Harrell rebounded to throw for 6 touchdowns against theIowa State Cyclones and then threw for 519 yards and 3 touchdowns against theTexas Longhorns in a narrow 35–31 loss. The Raiders finished the season with a 55–21 win against the Baylor Bears, a 34–24 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, and a 30–24 win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Texas Tech finished the regular season 7–5 (4–4 in the Big 12) and received an invitation to the2006 Insight Bowl.
The 7–5 Red Raiders faced off against the 6–6 Minnesota Golden Gophers at the2006 Insight Bowl inTempe, Arizona. Texas Tech struggled on both offense and defense during first 3 quarters of the Insight Bowl. TheMinnesota Golden Gophers outscored Tech 38–7 through the end of the 3rd quarter. The Red Raiders, sparked by a 43-yard touchdown from Harrell toJoel Filani, went on to outscore the Gophers 31–0 through the end of regulation sending the game into overtime. On the final drive, Harrell drove the Red Raider offense almost 70 yards in less than a minute to set up the game-tying field goal byAlex Trlica. Following a Minnesota field goal, Tech scored a touchdown to win the game 44–41 capping a 31-point deficit, setting the record for the largest comeback victory in FBS bowl history. Harrell threw for 445 yards, two touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown and was named the offensive MVP.[10] Tech finished the year 8–5, their 13th straight winning season, and their fifth straight season with at least 8 wins 4th bowl win out of the previous 5 seasons. He threw for 38 touchdowns and 4,555 passing yards, the third-most by a sophomore inNCAA Division I FBS history and the most ever thrown by a sophomore in the history of theBig 12.
Harrell declined to enter the2007 NFL draft. He continued the success of the previous season, mainly due to the addition of All-American wide receiverMichael Crabtree and the emergence of inside receiversDanny Amendola andEric Morris. The Raiders started the season off with wins over the SMU Mustangs 49–9, the UTEP Miners 45–31, and the Rice Owls 59–24. Harrell then had a career day against theOklahoma State Cowboys throwing for 5 touchdowns and 646 yards, however due to the poor play of the Tech defense, the Raiders lost to the Cowboys 49–45. Harrell was still given recognition as the AT&T Player of the Week for his performance despite the loss. The Raiders then reeled off lopsided wins overNorthwestern State,Iowa State, andTexas A&M pushing their record to 6–1 and into the national rankings. Harrell being mentioned as a dark horse candidate for theHeisman Trophy. The Raiders then dropped two games to Missouri and Colorado which knocked Tech out of the national conversation, but rebounded to beat Baylor 38–7. Harrell led the Red Raiders into Austin, Texas to face off againstColt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns, in a back and forth affair that Texas won 59–43 by simply outscoring Tech. The Raiders upset the # 4 rankedOklahoma Sooners in Lubbock to finish the regular season 8–4 overall and 4–4 and third place in the Big 12 South. Tech was invited to theGator Bowl where they defeated a rankedVirginia team 31–28 to finish 9–4 overall and ranked #22 in the country. Harrell was named the game's Most Valuable Player. He finished the season with a 71.8% completion percentage, throwing for 5,705 yards and 48 touchdowns. He was awarded theSammy Baugh Trophy, an award for the best passer in college football in a given season.[11]
Entering his senior season, Harrell had 89 career passing touchdowns, putting him within range ofColt Brennan's NCAA record of 131 touchdowns.[12] Before the beginning of his final season,CBS Sports listed Harrell as a Heisman hopeful. Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree's name also appeared on the list.[13] Harrell was also named one of 26 candidates for the 2008Unitas Award, given to the nation's best senior college football quarterback.[14] Additionally, his name appeared among 30 other quarterbacks in theDavey O'Brien Award watch list.[15] Harrell, along with coachMike Leach and teammate Michael Crabtree were featured on the cover of the 2008 edition ofDave Campbell's Texas Football.[16]
To support the Heisman campaign of both Harrell and Crabtree, Texas Tech created a website called PassOrCatch2008.com, which is modeled after political campaigns. The site garnered national attention and was awarded a Telly Award which honors the best in local, regional, and cable commercials and programs, as well as online videos, films, and commercials.[17][18] After leading the Red Raiders to a victory over the #1Texas Longhorns, Harrell and teammate Daniel Charbonnet were selected for Big 12 Player of the Week honors.[19] Harrell also overtook Texas quarterback Colt McCoy at the top of the Heisman poll.[20] Harrell was also one of ten finalists for theJohnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and one of thirteen finalists for theDavey O'Brien Award.[21][22][23]
Following the inaugural game of the2008 season, where Texas Tech defeated theEastern Washington Eagles, 49–24, Harrell was selected as theAT&T ESPN All-America Player.[24] After the Red Raiders 58–28 victory over theKansas State Wildcats, Harrell received two more honors. He was recognized as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and theO'Brien Quarterback of the Week.[25][26] During the game against Kansas State, Harrell broke the all-time record for passing yards at Texas Tech. The previous record, set byKliff Kingsbury, was 12,429 yards. After the game, Harrell's record stood at 12,709 yards.[26] Following the 63–21 win over #18Kansas on October 25, 2008, Harrell was again named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Teammate Matt Williams was named the Special Teams Player of the Week.[27] After Tech's 65–21 loss to Oklahoma, Harrell's chances of winning the Heisman were reduced.[28] Harrell finished fourth in the Heisman race but did not receive an invitation to attend the presentation ceremony. Michael Crabtree finished fifth.[29]
In the final regular season game against Baylor, Harrell shattered two of his fingers (the pinkie and middle finger) of his non-throwing hand during the second quarter. At halftime, Harrell's hand was x-rayed, and medical examiners advised Harrell to discontinue playing in the game. Harrell replied, "Tape my hand up. I'm going out." Harrell played the rest of the game with black tape around his fingers. He finished with 309 total passing yards and two touchdowns. With the victory, Tech clinched a share of theBig 12 South title, though fell short at going to the Big 12 Championship Game. On the day following the Baylor game, Harrell underwent a four-hour surgery, in which 17 pins and two plates were inserted into his injured hand to heal nine different breaks. He was later cleared to play in the postseason bowl game.[30]
On December 2, 2008, Harrell and teammate Michael Crabtree were named asWalter Camp Award finalists.[31]
On December 4, 2008, theAmerican Football Coaches Association compiled its 2008 AFCA Coaches' All-American Team, with Harrell headlining the list.[32]
On October 25, 2008, Graham Harrell passedPhilip Rivers to move into sole possession of third place for passing yardage in a career. On November 22, 2008, Harrell passedTy Detmer to move into second for passing yardage in a career behindTimmy Chang.[33] On January 2, 2009, Harrell played his final collegiate game, a 34–47 loss toOle Miss in the2009 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. In the game, Harrell finished his college career with an NCAA all-time record of 134 passing touchdowns, breaking the previous mark of 131 set byColt Brennan.[34] He also equaled Brennan's record of 147 career touchdowns passing, rushing, and receiving, a record that would be brokenthe following year byCentral Michigan'sDan LeFevour. Harrell also compiled 5,111 passing yards in the season, becoming the first NCAA player to post multiple 5,000-yard passing seasons.[35]
| Season | GP | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech Red Raiders | ||||||||
| 2005 | 6 | 37 | 55 | 67.3 | 422 | 3 | 0 | 149.7 |
| 2006 | 13 | 412 | 617 | 66.8 | 4,555 | 38 | 11 | 145.5 |
| 2007 | 13 | 512 | 713 | 71.8 | 5,705 | 48 | 14 | 157.3 |
| 2008 | 13 | 442 | 626 | 70.6 | 5,111 | 45 | 9 | 160.0 |
| Career | 45 | 1,403 | 2,011 | 69.8 | 15,793 | 134 | 34 | 154.3 |
Harrell holds 8 Individual NCAA records. See alsoNCAA records held by individual Red Raiders
| NCAA record | Statistic |
| Most passes completed in a season[36] | 512 (2007) |
| Most passes completed on average per game in a season[36] | 39.4 (2007) |
| Most passes completed per game in a career[36] | 31.2 |
| Most games gaining 400 Yards or more passing in a season[36] | 11 (2007) (13 Games) |
| Most games gaining 400 yards or more passing in a career[36] | 20 (Tied) |
| Most yards gained on average against one opponent per game in a career[36] | 486.3 (Minimum 3 Games, vs Texas) |
| Most seasons gaining 4,000 yards or more total offense[36] | 3 (Tied) |
| Most games gaining 400 yards or more total offense in a career[36] | 21 (Tied) |
The NCAA Records book also mentions Graham Harrell for the following items:[36]
NCAA records reference (Last referenced for 2015 season)[36]
Harrell has received multiple honors, including the 2008Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
| 2006 | 2006 Insight BowlMVP | Selected | [10] |
| 2006 | All-Big 12 | Selected for honorable-mention | |
| 2006 | Academic All-Big 12 | Selected for first-team | [37] |
| 2007 | AT&T ESPN All-America Player of the Week | Selected twice | |
| 2007 | All-Big-12 | Selected for second-team | |
| 2007 | Sammy Baugh Trophy | Winner | |
| 2007 | Academic All-Big 12 | Selected for first-team | [38] |
| 2008 | 2008 Gator Bowl MVP | Selected | [39] |
| 2008 | AT&T ESPN All-America Player of the Week | Selected four times | |
| 2008 | Academic All-Big 12 | Selected for first-team | Posted a 4.00GPA[40] |
| 2008 | AFCA Coaches'All-American | Selected | [32] |
| 2008 | National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete | Selected | [41] |
| 2008 | Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award | Winner | [42][43] |
| 2008 | Heisman Trophy | Candidate | Finished fourth[44] |
| 2008 | All-Big 12 | Selected for honorable-mention | |
| 2008 | The Sporting News 2008 National Player of the Year | Selected | Co-national player of the year withSam Bradford andColt McCoy[45] |
| 2008 | AT&T All-America Player of the Year | Winner | Voted on by fans[46] |
Following his senior season at Texas Tech, Harrell entered the2009 NFL draft but went undrafted to the surprise of many.[47] He participated in rookie camp for theCleveland Browns in May 2009 but was not signed despite coachEric Mangini giving Harrell praise.[48] UFL Access reported that Harrell would work out in front ofUnited Football League representatives inLas Vegas.[49]
On July 20, 2009, Harrell signed a two-year plus an option contract with theSaskatchewan Roughriders of theCanadian Football League, joining former Texas Tech teammateEric Morris who had signed months earlier.[50] After a brief stay in the CFL, Harrell requested to be released from his CFL contract to pursue his NFL options, and was released by the Roughriders on April 22, 2010.[51][52]
Harrell signed with theGreen Bay Packers on May 19, 2010. On December 18, Harrell was signed to the active roster due to an injury toAaron Rodgers. On September 3, 2011, the Packers released Harrell, but they re-signed him on September 4, 2011, to the practice squad.[53][54] On December 7, 2011, the Packers again signed Harrell to the active roster. After the departure of primary back-upMatt Flynn, Harrell was promoted to the active roster full-time and was named Rodgers' primary backup.
On September 30, 2012, Graham played in his first game for Green Bay. Coming in for one snap in the red zone, Harrell took the snap to hand off toCedric Benson, but was tripped by his center, resulting in a fumbled hand off and a lost fumble.[55] Harrell appeared in four regular-season games, completing 2 of 4 passes for 20 yards. He hosted a weekly sports talk show called the "Witt Ford Red Zone with Graham Harrell" every Monday during the 2012 season on 104.1 FM WRLU and archived at DoorCountyDailyNews.com.[56]
Harrell struggled in the pre-season and on August 24, 2013,USA Today reported that Green Bay would be releasing Harrell, as formerTennessee Titans quarterbackVince Young outplayed Harrell according to the Packers coaching staff in the pre-season.[57]
Harrell was signed by theNew York Jets on August 28, 2013.[58] He was brought in after reserve quarterbackGreg McElroy re-injured his knee. Harrell played for one series at the end of the Jets' final 2013 preseason game against theEagles in relief ofMatt Simms.[59] He was released on September 2, 2013, after the Jets signedBrady Quinn.[60]
Harrell first started coaching by accepting a quality control position atOklahoma State whenMike Gundy hired former Tech offensive coordinatorDana Holgorsen to run the Cowboy offense. Harrell helped tutor the OSU quarterbacks with the new Air Raid system that Gundy had hired Holgorsen to run. Harrell left OSU to play football in Canada. After not playing in the NFL during the 2013 season, Harrell joined the coaching staff atWashington State in April 2014, re-uniting him with his college coachMike Leach. Harrell was given the position of offensive analyst.[61] In February 2015, Harrell was named the football program's outside receivers coach, replacing Dennis Simmons.[62]
In December 2015, former Texas Tech running backs coachSeth Littrell was named head football coach at theUniversity of North Texas. Harrell became one of Littrell's first hires, as he was named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UNT. Despite being named OC at North Texas, Harrell said he would honor his contract with Leach and WSU and coach the Cougars in theSun Bowl.
At UNT, Harrell inherited an offense that had ranked in the bottom 25 of the country in passing, total yards, and points in 2015. He improved the unit such that his offenses were ranked in the top 26 nationally in passing, total yards, and points in both 2017 and 2018.[63]
On December 7, 2018, UNC-Chapel Hill sports site Inside Carolina claimed that Harrell had accepted the role of offensive coordinator at theUniversity of North Carolina, but Inside Carolina retracted the claim hours later.[64] On January 29, 2019, Harrell was hired as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at theUniversity of Southern California (USC) under head coachClay Helton.[65]
On January 10, 2022, Harrell was hired as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach atWest Virginia University.[66]
On December 20, 2022, Harrell was named the offensive coordinator for thePurdue Boilermakers.[67]
On September 29th, 2024, it was announced that Harrell was fired from his position as offensive coordinator after the team started the season 1-3 while averaging only 12.7 points per game during their 3 losses.[68]
On January 28, 2025, Harrell was named the associate head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach for theAbilene Christian Wildcats.[69]
Harrell is the son of Sam and Kathy Harrell. His grandfather served as assistant coach toGordon Wood. Harrell has an older brother, Zac, who was a receiver on Ennis High's 2000 State Championship team, and is a graduate of theUniversity of North Texas and coaches at the high school level, serving as the head football coach and athletic director atAthens High School inAthens, Texas. Graham also has a younger brother,Clark Harrell, who played a year at quarterback for theTulsa Golden Hurricane. Clark transferred toAbilene Christian University after his freshman season at Tulsa and graduated from ACU in 2011. Clark is now the head coach at New Diana High School inDiana, Texas.
Sam Harrell, Graham's father, was the highest paid high school coach in Texas as of the 2005–06 academic year.[70] He coached atReagan County (1990–1993) andEnnis (1994–2009) before retiring from coaching duties in December 2010 due to health problems. Sam returned to the sidelines after over two years of aggressive treatment formultiple sclerosis,[71] coaching in Brownwood under Bob Shipley, father ofJacksonville Jaguars and former Texas wideoutJordan Shipley.[72] After a short stint as the offensive coordinator for the Southwestern Assembly of God University Lions in Waxahachie, Texas, Sam returned to Ennis High School as the head coach of the Ennis Lions.
Harrell has been married to Brittney Tomlinson ofTyler, Texas since March 2012. They have a son, Herschel Hawk, who was born in 2015.[73][74]
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