Official: Notre Dame hires Memphis' Chip Long as new OC

After it was initially reported back on Dec. 30, Notre Dame confirmed Monday it has hired Memphis’ Chip Long as its new offensive coordinator.

In his first season with the Tigers, Long helped direct an offense that averaged 38.8 points per game, which was the second-highest average in school history. First-year starting quarterback Riley Ferguson broke Paxton Lynch’s single-season passing touchdown record with 32, and during the last five games of the season, the Tigers averaged more than 41 points per game.

In a press release, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said Long will call plays for the Irish in 2017.

“Chip will be given the full responsibility to call plays in 2017,” said Kelly. “His offense at Memphis displayed a unique blend of physicality, athleticism, versatility and explosiveness. Chip’s play-calling created mismatches all over the field and did it in a number of different ways. He likes to use players who can fill numerous roles in an array of formations, whether that be two and three tight ends or multiple running backs.

“Chip has experience coaching at almost every position on the offensive side of the ball. He’s worked for and learned from some of the most respected offensive minds in college football — Bobby Petrino, Mike Norvell and Jeff Brohm — to name a few.”

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Prior to coming to Memphis, Long was the tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator at Arizona State from 2012-15. He also coached the Sun Devils’ running backs in 2015. Prior to that, he spent time at Illinois, Arkansas and Louisville.

In 2015, Long was recognized as one of the country’s top-25 recruiters by Rivals and he was listed as one of the top recruiters in the Pac-12 from 2012-14.

“It’s an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to serve as the offensive coordinator at the University of Notre Dame,” said Long. “The challenge to lead at a University with such high standards is incredibly motivating. I’m very grateful to Brian Kelly and Jack Swarbrick for extending this opportunity.

“It’s Notre Dame: the values, the culture, and the leadership. My wife, Kari, and I are excited to move to South Bend and to join the Notre Dame family.”

According to Fox Sports, Long’s contract is for three years.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!