Memphis to hire Marshall's Tim Cramsey as offensive coordinator l Reports

Memphis has zeroed in on its next offensive coordinator as the Tigers are expected to hire Marshall's Tim Cramsey, according to multiple reports.

Cramsey will replace Kevin Johns, who was hired by Duke after spending the past three seasons at Memphis. He declined to comment on the reports when reached by The Commercial Appeal on Sunday.

Rivals was first to report Cramsey's hire.

Cramsey has been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Marshall for four seasons. Marshall, which went 7-6 last season, was 16th nationally in total offense (456.5 yards per game), 18th in passing (294.6 yards) and 30th in scoring (33.0 points).

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Cramsey helped quarterbacks Isaiah Green and Grant Wells earn C-USA Freshman of the Year honors in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Green was named co-Freshman of the Year after throwing for 2,459 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Wells led C-USA in passing yards (2,091) and touchdowns (18) in 2020. Last season, he threw for 3,535 yards, which was second in the conference behind Western Kentucky's Bailey Zappe. Wells also had 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Marshall was also balanced running the ball under Cramsey. The Thundering Herd were fourth in C-USA in rushing and freshman Rasheen Ali led the conference with 23 rushing touchdowns. Ali was also second with 1,401 rushing yards on 5.6 yards per carry.

The Thundering Herd were second in C-USA in averaging 4.69 yards per carry.

Cramsey was the offensive coordinator at Sam Houston State in 2017 where the Bearkats led all FBS schools in scoring offense, passing offense, total offense and first downs. He also served as offensive coordinator at Nevada, Montana State, FIU and New Hampshire.

Tigers coach Ryan Silverfield faced a critical decision this offseason replacing Johns. Memphis was 16th in the country in total offense with freshman quarterback Seth Henigan but at times, the offense lacked creativity, excitement and couldn't finish drives in the end zone.

Memphis' 30.1 points per game were the program's fewest since 2013. The Tigers also failed to score at least 30 points in five of its last seven games. Marshall had four games scoring 44 points or more but was held under 30 points in four of its last five games.

Cramsey inherits a unit that must replace its best offensive lineman in Dylan Parham and top two playmakers in tight end Sean Dykes and receiver Calvin Austin III. He also has a quarterback room with Henigan as well Grant Gunnell, who suffered a season-ending injury in preseason practice.

It's expected both Henigan and Gunnell will be auditioning for the starting job during spring practice. Neither has signaled they will transfer before Memphis begins its spring semester on Tuesday.

The Tigers' run game also needs to get back on track after it had the program's fewest yards per game (137.08) since 2011. Memphis also averaged just 3.95 yards per carry, which was seventh in the American Athletic Conference.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis to hire Marshall's Tim Cramsey as offensive coordinator, per reports