Graham Harrell is an American football coach and former record-setting quarterback best known for leading Texas Tech’s high-octane Air Raid offenses from 2006–08 and later coordinating offenses at North Texas, USC, West Virginia, Purdue and, most recently, Abilene Christian University (ACU). Born May 22, 1985 in Brownwood, Texas, he is currently offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at ACU. As a player, Harrell threw for nearly 16,000 yards at Texas Tech, won the Sammy Baugh Trophy (2007) and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2008), and was selected to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class.
Graham Harrell in Football
Harrell starred at Texas Tech (2004–08) under coach Mike Leach, becoming one of the most prolific passers in FBS history and authoring the iconic last-second touchdown to Michael Crabtree to beat No. 1 Texas in 2008. After going undrafted in 2009, he spent time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) and in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers—earning a Super Bowl XLV ring—and briefly with the New York Jets. His transition to coaching began soon after, carrying forward Air Raid principles that emphasize spacing, tempo, and quarterback autonomy.
What is the Graham Harrell Teams Coached
Harrell’s coaching path includes roles at:
- Oklahoma State (offensive quality control, 2009)
- Washington State (outside WRs, 2014–15)
- North Texas (OC/QBs, 2016–18)
- USC (OC/QBs, 2019–21)
- West Virginia (OC/QBs, 2022)
- Purdue (OC/QBs, 2023–24)
- Abilene Christian (associate head coach/OC/QBs, 2025– )
At North Texas, his units climbed into the national top tier in passing, total offense and scoring (2017–18). He then coordinated USC’s attack, followed by stints calling plays at WVU and Purdue, before returning to Texas as ACU’s offensive coordinator.
Where is Graham Harrell Coaching Now?
As of October 2025, Harrell is offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Abilene Christian University. ACU announced his hire in January 2025, noting he would lead the Wildcats’ offense and tutor the quarterbacks.
In short, he is a College Football Hall of Famer and prominent Air Raid disciple who parlayed an elite collegiate playing career into a decade of FBS coaching. His résumé blends Power Five stops (USC, West Virginia, Purdue) with Group of Five and FCS experience, and his offenses typically feature quick-game concepts, vertical spacing and high-percentage reads to create yards after the catch.
Why Was Graham Harrell Fired?
In September–October 2024, Purdue dismissed Harrell four games into the season amid offensive struggles (a 1–3 start and low scoring outputs). Multiple outlets reported head coach Ryan Walters made a mid-season change, handing play-calling to an analyst. The firing ended Harrell’s tenure after 16 games with the Boilermakers.
Playing style & influence (context)
Harrell’s coaching DNA reflects his playing days: tempo, a heavy dose of mesh, quick outs, and vertical shots that stress defenses horizontally and vertically. Quarterbacks in his systems are asked to process quickly, distribute decisively, and exploit space—tenets rooted in the Air Raid tree.
