Texas announces Mike Yurcich as new OC

On Sunday, the nearly month-long search for an offensive coordinator to replace Tim Beck finally ended for head coach Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns with the addition of Ohio State Buckeyes passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich, the school announced.

“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 in a statement released by the school. “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.”

In a search that also included a reported interest in USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell and new Penn State offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, Herman honed in on Yurcich, who spent six seasons in Stillwater under Mike Gundy before joining Ohio State this year.

In fact, Yurcich emerged as the runaway favorite to take over for Beck in the last week, including Herman speaking about the coordinator search in the past tense in San Antonio on Friday as his team prepared for the Texas Bowl.

“I can’t tell you much other than pleased at the way that it went, pleased that I had the opportunity to talk to as many quality candidates as we did,” Herman said. “We knew that we got to get this right, but it’s got to be not just right for the masses but right for Texas, and right for what we believe in and who we want to be on that side of the ball, and so I’m very pleased with where we’re at on that timetable.”

Yurcich, for his own part, notably failed to deny interest in joining the Longhorns prior to the College Football Playoff semifinals that featured a loss for the Buckeyes that freed him to officially accept the job in Austin on Sunday.

“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.”