Louisville Offensive Coordinator Garrick McGee made a big statement on Thursday evening about the future of the program. He turned down an opportunity to interview for the vacant Offensive Coordinator position at Oklahoma. Why is that big news? McGee is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and played quarterback at Oklahoma.
Garrick McGee was connected to a few college and NFL openings but he’ll stay at Louisville w a raise
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 9, 2015
McGee had this to say: “I appreciate the offer from Coach Bob Stoops and my Alma mater to interview for their vacant OC position. OU has a special place in my heart, but Bobby Petrino and the University of Louisville are very special to me. I love where our program is headed and I appreciate the investment the University has made in me and my family.”
From GoCards.com on McGee’s profile:
The Tulsa, Okla., native began his coaching career at Langston (Okla.) University in 1996-98, initially coaching the defensive backs before overseeing the quarterbacks, receivers, and special teams.
McGee attended Booker T. Washington High in Tulsa and played for his father, the late Larry McGee. He played at Arizona State in 1991 and 1992 under Petrino and went to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in 1993 before transferring to Oklahoma.
He played two years for the Sooners and ended his career fourth on OU’s career passing list with 2,449 yards. He was named the Big Eight Newcomer of the Year by the league’s coaches in 1994.
McGee earned an associate’s degree from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in 1993 and his bachelor’s from OU in 1996.
That is a LOT of time spent in the state of Oklahoma in his life and career. You may not see it as a big deal because for us, Louisville is the place to be. But imagine growing up close to Louisville, playing for the Cards at one point in your career, and having other jobs in the state, all close to home. Now you are an assistant at a school with less tradition than Louisville, so maybe an Iowa State or someone like that. You have been at Iowa State for one season, and suddenly Louisville comes calling and you have the chance to go back home. And you TURN IT DOWN to stay at the school with less history and tradition because you believe so much in where you are at and the direction that school is headed.
I would say that Garrick McGee made a pretty big statement with this move, and he didn’t even move at all.
