Last updated July 19, 2013
Chris Norris enters his eighth year as the Redhawks running backs and special teams coach.
Norris coached his first Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-American running back when Henry Harris shattered numerous school records in 2010. Harris, who finished fifth in the overall voting for the Walter Payton Award, became Southeast’s all-time single-season leader in rushing yards, all-purpose yardage, points scored, total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns.
Two seasons later, Norris coached his second All-OVC selection at running back when Levi Terrell garnered second-team accolades. Terrell ran for 1,349 yards and six touchdowns in 2012, finishing his career ranked ninth all-time on Southeast’s career rushing list.
This year, Norris has two players who made College Football Performance Award Watch Lists. Punter Joe Vucic is up for the organization’s Punter Award, while Spencer Davis is a candidate for the All-Purpose Performer of the Year honor.
Vucic ranked third in the OVC and 20th in the nation with 41.9 yards per punt last season.
Meanwhile, Davis ranks among Southeast’s career leaders in several special teams categories and is on pace to become the school’s all-time leader in kick return yardage.
Norris helped a Southeast punter earn All-American honors in four of his first six years on the Redhawks coaching staff.
Return men have flourished under Norris’ leadership, as well. In fact, five of Southeast’s top-10 career kick return leaders have been on Norris’ watch. They include Jacob McKinley (2008-09, 2nd), Spencer Davis (2010-present, 3rd), Antonio Scaife (2003-06, 5th), Elton Peterson (2003-07, 8th) and Henry Harris (2008-10, 10th).
Norris joined the Redhawks staff after spending three years under the direction of Steve Gilbert at Jacksonville University.
In his first year at JU, Dolphin running backs ran for a school-record 2,103 yards on 494 carries. Norris also coached Emmett Hunter, the Dolphins all-time leading rusher, to All-American honors in 2003. Prior to that, Norris spent three seasons in the same capacity at Tennessee State. Norris began his college coaching career as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Northern State University.
In 1999, he helped lead the Wolves to a 9-3 record and No. 11 national ranking. Norris also coached at his alma mater, Papillion-La Vista High School from 1997-99.
Norris played four years as a fullback under head coaches Tom Osborne and Frank Solich at the University of Nebraska. The Cornhuskers went 47-3 with four Big Eight Conference titles and one National Championship (1994) during his career. Nebraska also owned a 26-game winning streak in that span.
Norris earned a bachelor’s degree from Nebraska-Omaha in 1999. He and his wife, Tracee, have a daughter, Breeze, and reside in Jackson.
